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Exceptional Local Teen Named Missiouri Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Sanay Cherry-Owens set to receive college scholarships and vie for regional title this summer


KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, April 13, 2023 – Selected among eight outstanding youth, Sanay Cherry-Owens has been named the Missouri Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 76th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures. As the Missouri Youth of the Year, Sanay will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state, will receive a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and a $1,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs Missouri Area Council, and will advance to the regional Youth of the Year and ultimately the national event.


Sanay, a high school junior, is a six-year Club member at Thornberry Unit in Kansas City, Missouri. At the Boys & Girls Club, Sanay participates in many Club programs, including Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. She has taken on leadership roles at the Club through the Youth of the Year program.

Sanay maintains a 3.2 G.P.A. at school and is active in softball, basketball, and Stucco. After high school, Sanay hopes to be an athletic trainer for the National Basketball Association.


“We are incredibly proud of Sanay and all the Youth of the Year nominees,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor and accomplishment. As the Missouri Youth of the Year, Sanay will serve as a spokesperson for Boys & Girls Club kids and teens across the state who need more role models that they can admire and emulate.”


Founded in 1947 as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club. The Youth of the Year program is supported by Toyota and Mondelēz- International. As the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Toyota is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Clubs provide life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to explore, develop and apply the essential skills they need to be successful in life and work. As the Lead Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Mondelēz International, will engage with local Clubs year-round to help foster a new generation of leaders prepared to live in and lead a diverse global economy. Youth of the Year representatives are the workforce leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.


Sanay will join other state Youth of the Year this summer to vie for the mid-west regional title. If named the regional Youth of the Year, she will be awarded an additional $20,000 college scholarship. The five finalists, along with the National Military Youth of the Year, will advance to the National Youth of the Year event in October 2023 to vie for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional scholarship of $50,000 and a brand-new Toyota Corolla.


For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.  


About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

For one hundred ten years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City has provided youth ages 5-18 a fun and safe environment to learn, play, meet new friends, and grow — with particular emphasis on youth who need us most. From sports, digital arts, and media to group activities and tutoring, the Clubs provide caring adult mentors, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.


Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles to nearly 1,000 area youth each day. Whether it is learning how an individual can make a difference in their community or how to swim – the Clubs strive to help youth feel important and put their dreams of a Great Future within reach.

More information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City can be found online at www.helpkckids.org or facebook.com/helpkckids.


About Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaFor 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,900 Clubs serve over 4.3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native lands throughout the country and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.



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Contact:  Sharon Cleaver, Direct: 816-462-0136, Mobile: 816-674-3721, scleaver@helpkckids.org

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