National Youth of the Year
Sponsored by The Reader's Digest Foundation, the National Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Clubs select a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion then enters state competition. State winners receive a plaque and enter the regional competition. Regional winners receive a $5,000 scholarship and enter a national competition held in Washington, DC. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $10,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.

Local Youth of the Year
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

Below is the press release announcing the 2010 local winner:

Des Moines native Kadashia Madison, 18, has been named the 2010 Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year award is presented annually and is the highest honor a Boys and Girls Club member can receive. Kadashia, currently a senior at Hoover High School in Des Moines, was chosen not only for her leadership abilities, but her willingness to serve the Club and the community.

Her journey with the Boys and Girls Club began in fifth grade at Grace Community Church where she viewed the opportunity to get involved with the Boys and Girls Club as something to do in her spare time and a positive place to meet new people. As Kadashia puts it, her “endless passion for working with people” lead her to become a junior staff member at the Ellis I. Levitt Club in 2007. Kadashia is also part of the PALS program at the Levitt Club and works specifically with first grade and kindergarten members.

“The club has taught me a lot, mostly about myself,” said Kadashia. “It has helped me to really develop my character, self-confidence, and leadership abilities.”

According to Laura Sampson, Early Education Program Director at the Levitt Club and Kadashia’s supervisor, Kadashia was a perfect choice for Youth of the Year.

“Kadashia is everything and more that you could want in a junior staff member,” said Sampson. “We’ve grown to rely on her qualities as she tends to take on so many roles at the Club. She’s not only connected with the children, but with the community as well. Kadashia is certainly invaluable to us.”

Charles Zanders, Site Director at the Levitt Club explained that with Kadashia, it is all about dependability. “Kadashia is always here, always on time, and great with the kids. They respond to her and know that she cares about them, and in this line of work that’s what makes you successful.”

Madison received runner-up at the state competition, however will continue her duties to represent the Clubs at the Drake Relays in mid-April where she will deliver her speech on what the Boys and Girls Club has meant to her.

“I am very honored to receive this award, it’s definitely a pleasure,” said Kadashia. “I never really thought that someone would consider me to be this much of a leader.”

Kadashia also said that the experience has shown her that you can be successful at anything you do and hard work pays off. Throughout her Youth of the Year process, she has realized that she is a role model not only to the kids, but to her peers and supervisors she works with at the Club as well.

Madison’s future goals consist of possibly attending a two-year college, followed by attending a four-year university where she plans to graduate in Human Services and Criminal Justice.