BRATTLEBORO — Sydney Fisher has been selected to compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Vermont Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Tupperware Foundation.
As the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, Fisher, 17, is among hundreds of youth across the country BGCA is recognizing in 2014 for their sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community.
Youth of the Year is the greatest honor BGCA bestows on its members. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
Fisher, a junior at Brattleboro Union High School, says she is looking forward to continuing her education in early childhood development.
In a heartfelt ceremony attended by family, friends, and members of the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro on Feb. 3 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden, Fisher was not only honored to be named the local Youth of the Year winner, she also received a $500 scholarship provided by River Valley Credit Union.
Beth Baldwin, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, said at the event that Fisher exemplifies Youth of the Year: “She has overcome her share of obstacles and strives to do better today than yesterday, always thinking of others and being willing to lend a helping hand.”
Baldwin continued: “In her own way, Sydney is the best kind of role model for all youth. She works hard at being the best she can be at everything she does. Sydney is very active within the club and the community, and she will be a wonderful representative of the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro and the Brattleboro community as a whole.”
Should Fisher win at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September to compete for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year.
The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and will be installed by President Barack Obama in an Oval Office ceremony.