Each year, the extraordinary achievements of Club members are celebrated as they compete for the title of Youth of the Year, a Boys & Girls Clubs of America national competition. 16-year-old Neptune High School student Kaelah Grant was awarded the title of Monmouth County’s Youth of the Year on Wednesday, April 11th at the Asbury Hotel, where a panel of judges evaluated candidates in four categories: essay writing, interview skills, public speaking ability, and overall application quality. Kaelah will now go on to compete at the state level in June.
Judges for this year’s competition were Peter Henderson of Fair Haven, Amanda Haytaian of Little Silver, Dr. Peter Hetzler of Rumson, Janice Fuller of Ocean Township, and Bill Luby of Fair Haven.
Youth of the Year judges with the 2018 winner (from left) Bill Luby, Peter Henderson, winner Kaelah Grant, Amanda Haytaian, Janice Fuller, and Peter Hetzler
Kaelah is on the fast-track to graduate high school in three years and hopes to attend Johns Hopkins University, where she will study to become a neurosurgeon. She volunteers weekly at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and as Youth of the Year, Kaelah hopes to develop healthy lifestyle programs for low-income communities.
The Youth of the Year is an ambassador for the Boys & Girls Clubs, serving as a role model and spokesperson for America’s youth. If awarded the national title, Kaelah will attend regional and national events, appear on television, make remarks before public officials, and use her voice and perspective to raise awareness about issues facing our nation’s children and teenagers.
Good luck, Kaelah!
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