2011 Local & State Youth of the Year – Kiana Knolland
Kiana Knolland
Selected among seven outstanding youth, Kiana Knolland has been named the Kansas Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. As the new Kansas Youth of the Year, she will receive a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. A true example of an extraordinary young leader, 16-year old Kiana will now vie for BGCA’s Southwest Region Youth of the Year title and an additional college scholarship.
“I am so thankful, deeply appreciative and ever so gracious to be receiving this award. Youth of the Year is such an honorable title and I promise to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas (BGCSCK) and the state of Kansas with dignity, honor and grace,” said Kiana Knolland.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
Kiana grew up in a single family home. Her mother provides a great support system but has significant health problems that have made it very difficult. She has also had to deal with adversity and struggles with her immediate family. Kiana has overcome many obstacles in her childhood to be the woman she is today.
Kiana has been a member of the BGCSCK since she was 5. Over the years she has been active in the following: Gospel Choir, Samba Band, Steel Band, African Band, Junior Dance, Senior Dance, NetSmartz, The Boys & Girls Club Pageant and Financial Literacy Programs. Last summer, she was a Junior Staff member and enjoyed being a good role model to the younger members. She is currently the Vice President of Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service.
Kiana is also very active in the Wichita community. She volunteers for the Kansas African American Museum and is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In the summer of 2010 she was a part of the Pure & Simple Lifestyle project films and currently goes to schools speaking about abstinence. Kiana is a member at Freefull Gospel Pentecostal Church and enjoys attending service every Tuesday and Sunday as well as participating in Praise Dance.
Kiana is a sophomore at Southeast and keeps busy with the following activities: VP of African American Club, Choose Respect Club, Asst. Principal’s Advisory Council, Debate, Forensics and National Society of High School Scholars. She would like to attend Spelman College and Harvard Law and become a district attorney.
“Kiana and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the state are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people to Be GREAT,” said Jeff Jacobs, Chief Professional Officer of BGCSCK.
On June 2, 2011, Kiana will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members within the Southwest Region. If named regional winner, she will be awarded an additional $10,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2011, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
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2010 Youth Of the Year — Cierra Smith
Cierra Smith
Cierra Smith is a true example of an extraordinary young woman. At age 17, she was named the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas 2010 Youth of the Year and received $500 from the George Fahnestock Memorial Youth of the Year Scholarship. She was also selected to compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Kansas Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. This is the second year in a row that Smith has won the local competition. Maurissa Walker and Kiana Knowland were the other Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas finalists.
As the Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, Smith is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of Reader’s Digest.
Smith is the daughter of Aritha Smith. She is a junior at Northeast Magnet High School where she maintains a 3.0 grade point average. She enjoys dancing in the Boys & Girls Club Dance Company and has been a member since she was five years old. She would like to attend Spellman College in Atlanta, GA or Harvard and become a lawyer.
“Cierra has been a terrific leader at the club and I am most pleased to have her be the face of the club,” said Jeff Jacobs, chief professional officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas.
The winner at state will compete for the title of Southwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2010 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 is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.