The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills is proud to announce their 2007 Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year program develops Clubs members who are articulate, well-groomed and knowledgeable spokespersons for their Club. The qualities of character, service and leadership that make a Youth of the Year are promoted in the Club everyday. This year the staff nominated 3 candidates with whom have shown leadership, dedication, civic responsibility and good citizenship. This year’s nominees were Carl Hagins, Larry Leverett and Deanna Martin. Each candidate was responsible for writing a speech about what the Club means to them and presenting it in front of a panel of judges. Larry Leverett, this year’s Youth of the Year winner, is a true example of an extraordinary young man. Larry is among hundreds of local Youths of the Year across the country who join Boys & Girls Clubs of America in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Youth of the Year program.

Being named the Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club. This program was founded through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation,

Larry Leverett is a 15 year old sophomore at Pinecrest High School. He plays Defensive Lineman and Linebacker for his school’s football team. Larry also plays AAU Basketball and was recruited by People to People Ambassadors to play for the United States in Holland for 12 days in July. Larry attends St. John Baptist Church where he serves as an usher. Larry has been a member of the Club for 4 years and was recently hired as Junior Staff where he works as Assistant Gamesroom Attendant. At the Club, he enjoys playing Basketball and serving as a mentor to the younger Club members. He has aspirations of attending Wake Forest University and studying to become a Pediatrician.

Larry Leverett will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the North Carolina Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship. If Larry wins at the state level, then he will compete for the title of Southeastern Regional Youth of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will travel to Washington, D.C. in September 2007 to compete for the title of the BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.