Myla Jackson was named the St. Joseph Youth of the Year at a celebration this week at St. Joseph High School. Jackson will represent the Boys & Girls Clubs St. Joseph High School Campus in the organization’s club-wide competition that will include additional representatives from Benton Harbor and South Haven, on February 24, 2022. The competition will take place virtually and will be streamed on YouTube and open to the public.
Jackson is an 18-year-old senior at St. Joseph High School and is the first representative of the Clubs at St. Joseph to participate in the Youth of the Year program for Boys & Girls Clubs. Jackson has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs since age 10. She currently serves as the president of the Club’s Keystone leadership group.
Part of that leadership is exploring a passion for equality. Jackson joined her school’s Diversity Task Force where she led “youth voice” for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for her schools.
“The Club’s willingness to accept me for who I am not only made me the person I am today, but gave me the tools I need for the future,” said Jackson in her three-minute competition speech. “Because of the Club’s love, strength, courage, and desire to fight for me, I now possess that same love, strength, courage and desire to fight for the things I care most about – equality.”
“Myla is an extraordinary young woman and a perfect spokesperson on behalf of the kids we serve at our Club at St. Joseph High School. Her dedication to leading change and working to achieve every measure of progress for her classmates is worthy of celebration,” said Mackenzie Kastl, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor.
Jackson plans to attend Ferris State University for two years, then transfer to Arizona State University where she will major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.
Following the February 24th virtual club-wide competition, the teen chosen to represent Boys & Girls Clubs locally will compete with teens selected by each of the 16 statewide clubs for the Michigan Youth of the Year title.
Boys & Girls Clubs based in Benton Harbor has a legacy of recognized leaders with the 2020 winner, Tekeidra Masters, going on to earn the titles of Michigan Youth of the Year and Midwest Regional Youth of the Year. Quincy Sulton, 2018 Benton Harbor winner was also named Michigan Youth of the Year. In 2014 Jasmnika Newbern was selected as the Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Midwest Regional Youth of the Year. Trianna Sutton was the Benton Harbor and Michigan Youth of the Year in 2012.
Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaffirm their mission to inspire and empower today’s youth by celebrating exemplary youth in Clubs across the nation through the Youth of the Year program. The Youth of the Year journey begins locally when youth, nominated by Club staff and peers, accept the challenge to rise above and make positive changes in their lives, Club and community.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor or to schedule an interview with Myla, contact Sherri Ulleg at 269.363.4806, or via email at sulleg@bgcbh.org.
Photo supplied by Boys & Girls Clubs
