Southern Wayne student named 'Youth of the Year'
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 4, 2010 1:46 PM
Myron Roberts
A Southern Wayne High School senior has been named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County.
Myron Roberts was recognized for his character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community, officials said.
"Myron is a hard-working young man with high moral standards and has set goals beyond secondary education," said Mary Ann Dudley, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County. "He is highly regarded among his peers at the club, school and community."
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The program was founded 61 years ago through the Reader's Digest Foundation.
A member of the Boys & Girls Club in Mount Olive for seven years, Roberts, 18, will compete against 36 others from across the state later this month in Gastonia. The 2010 North Carolina Youth of the Year event will take place March 26 and 27.
On the local level, he will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The state contest also awards a $1,000 scholarship from Reader's Digest and up to a $5,000 scholarship from the N.C. Boys & Girls Club Area Council.
Five regional winners then advance to Washington D.C. in September to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. With that comes an additional $15,000 college scholarship and installation by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
Other contenders from the area were Cheryl Alford from the Paley Club and LaMale Williams from the Selma Club.