On May 21 at the Mercer Island Club, staff, family, and friends joined to celebrate ten outstanding Club members across our region. Youth of the Quarter is a heartwarming moment where Club members get to tell their stories and share what they love about the Club.

Youth of the Quarter is an award recognizing Club members who have excelled in the areas of academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Once a recipient of the Youth of the Quarter, Club members are eligible for King County Youth of the Year, a county-wide competition and award ceremony. Award winners will then go on to Washington State Youth of the Year, Regional Youth of the Year, and the National Youth of the Year competitions. (Read more about the 2019 King County Youth of the Year event here!)

As the Youth of the Quarter recipients were sharing their stories, a clear and undeniable admiration filled the room. The teens were unbelievably thankful for the meaningful relationships between themselves and their staff mentors. These relationships really do change lives.

Big thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and congratulations to all the inspiring youth who shared their stories.

Kamara

Ballard

Kamara loves the Club because she gets to decide what she does with her time and she gets amazing opportunities like going to Seahawks games and Boys & Girls Clubs fundraisers like Kids Auction. Described by her mentor as a force at the Club, Kamara loves to volunteer and help other members.

Katrin

Ballard

When Katrin joined the Club in 4th grade, she was shy and afraid to go outside her comfort zone. But when forced to make new friends during community service projects in Keystone, Katrin expanded her growth and found a strong sense of belonging.

Miracle

Smilow Rainier Vista

As a Club leader and role model for young members (and staff!), Miracle takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. She has got big dreams to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and is well on her way, thanks to an internship through YouthForce with Kaiser Permanente that she turned into a job.

Jamariues (JJ)

Rotary

When JJ and his family moved to the Central District from Montana, he and his four siblings quickly adopted the Rotary Club as their second home. Thanks to the high expectations set by Ms. Patrick and other Club mentors, JJ has learned how to set an example for younger kids. JJ enjoys playing basketball for Rotary Style and recently got a job offer from the Port of Seattle.

LJ

Southwest

LJ embraces everyone at the Club as family. He enjoys field trips at the Club like going to Seahawks games and haunted houses.

Belayneh

Wallingford

As an active and enthusiastic member of Keystone Club, Belayneh appreciates that he can be himself with support from Club staff and friends. Belayneh is a great student always willing to help others.

Kevin

Wallingford

The Club is a meeting place for Kevin and his friends, where they can connect even if they attend different schools. He’s active in Keystone, an excellent student, and sees the Club as a second family.

Nicole

Bainbridge Island

Nicole uses her expressive, passionate, and action-oriented personality to advocate for minorities. Nicole is the VP of Torch Club and founder of the Rainbow Club, a LGBTQI group at the Bainbridge Club.

Gavin

Bainbridge Island

A long-time Club member interested in tech and computer science, Gavin created a coding program to inspire learning for other kids around programming areas like 3D modelling and 3D printing. He enjoys the program variety at the Club and that he has a space to be himself.

Congratulations to all Youth of the Quarter recipients! We’re so proud to have you as part of our Boys & Girls Clubs of King County family!