GARDINER — Timmy Doyle has been named the Maine State Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The Youth of the Year title is bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Doyle was chosen from a field of six candidates.
Now in its 71st year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire.
As the Maine State Youth of the Year, Doyle will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state, will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and will go on to vie for the regional Youth of the Year and, ultimately, the national title.
Doyle has been a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley for 11 years. He is employed as a mentor for the club’s school-age program and a member of the Keystone Club, a group dedicated to leadership and community service.
As treasurer of the Keystone Club, Doyle has devoted over 500 hours of service to his community.
Doyle attends Gardiner Area High School where he is varsity goalkeeper for the soccer team, a member of both the math and Latin clubs, and a school board student representative. Upon graduation, Doyle hopes to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
“The Club changed me from a boy who could have easily slipped through the cracks to make bad life decisions into someone who is proud to go back every day and return the favor to other children,” says Doyle. “One day I know I will be able to look back and recognize that the Boys & Girls Club changed my life and was, without a doubt, where my great future truly began.”
Doyle and all Youth of the Year nominees are “living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are inspiring and enabling young people to achieve great futures,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO, BGCA. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the MaineState Youth of the Year, Timmy will serve as a spokesperson for our young people, sharing his inspiring story and leading the way to transform communities for the better.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, supporting the youth advocacy organization for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, is dedicated to inspiring the next generations of engineers, thinkers and leaders who will help drive the American economy.
This summer, Doyle will join other state winners to vie for the Northeastregional title in New York City. If named the regional winner, he will be awarded an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including five regional winners and a military youth winner, will advance to Washington, D.C. in September to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable for four years up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the president at in the White House.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org. Interested volunteers, sponsors and donors may contact Ingrid Stanchfield, chief executive officer, at 207-582-8458 or by emailing istanchfield@bgckv.org. For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley follow on Facebook or check visit www.bgckv.org.
