WAUSAU — The Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area has announced Feanna Vang, a senior at D.C. Everest Senior High School who will attend UW-Madison in the fall, as its 2020 Youth of the Year.
Vang was chosen through a rigorous selection and interview process spanning several weeks and involving a number of community partners.
Youth of the Year is a signature effort of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, aimed at fostering a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. Throughout the year, members are honored as Members of the Month – and from that pool of candidates, the Youth of the Year is selected.
“The members who competed for Youth of the Year all have a unique story to tell,” said Boys & Girls Club Board Member Dick Lawson in a news release. “One member has encountered racism and remembered the advice of a club staff member on how to handle situations like that. Two of the nominees have dealt with mental illness and addiction issues in their family. … And Feanna was thankful for club programs like Power Hour for improving her study habits and communication skills.”
Vang will go onto Madison in March to compete with candidates from across the state to be named Wisconsin’s Youth of the Year. The state winner will go onto the regional competition, where the winner will head to the national stage. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people. Under the direction of BGCA staff, the National Youth of the Year will attend regional and national events, and serve as a leader on key issues, by inspiring people with his or her personal story and helping others.
