Jailen L. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County
Selected to Represent Maryland in National Competition
Boys & Girls Clubs of Maryland (BGCMD) announced their 2023 Maryland State Youth of the Year Winner. Jailen L. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County was selected as Maryland State Youth of the Year. The title was awarded based on outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. As Maryland State Youth of the Year winners, Jailen will serve as a representative for Boys & Girls Clubs in Maryland and will compete in the regional and potentially national competition.
Jailen L., a senior at Winters Mill High School, is the third teen from Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County (formerly known as Boys & Girls Club of Westminster) to receive the state title. Her dedication to Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County, where she has been an active member for 11 years and wanting to help others, has led to her goal of pursuing a career as a neonatal intensive care nurse. Jailen’s academic journey will continue as a nursing major at Carroll Community College. Throughout her membership with the Club, she has served as a leader and mentor, embodying their mission. Engaging in activities promoting wellness, leadership, and empowerment, she actively contributes to programs like SMART Girls and advocates for the SMART Moves prevention program.
“Jailen exemplifies the qualities and mindset that we work to develop in Club members,” said Sean Davis, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County. “She is a point of light in our community, and we are happy that she has chosen to stay here for college and possibly beyond.”
“I continue to be amazed with the candidates put forth for this award each year,” said Y’landa Burch, Executive Director, and Lead Administration for the Boys & Girls Clubs Maryland Alliance. “Jailen stood out among a strong group of nominees, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her represent Boys & Girls Clubs in our state.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) places priority on developing leadership skills such as communication, goal setting, and teamwork for young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Youth of the Year is a hallmark program of BGCA and is the highest honor any Club member can achieve. Individual Boys & Girls Clubs in Maryland who have a Youth of the Year program, selected, and nominated a candidate to represent their organization as a finalist at the State Youth of the Year event. A panel of judges reviewed the candidates’ applications and selected the winner based on ongoing participation and leadership in Club events, academic achievement, a written essay, an interview and a speech presentation of their essay.
The Maryland State Youth of the Year winners then advance to regional events. Six teens, including five regional winners and a national military youth winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year Celebration, where one outstanding young person is named BGCA’s national teen spokesperson. The National Youth of the Year is a role model, leader and advocate for over 4.6 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year.
