The Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County recently announced that it named Taylor Morris, a University of Denver freshman from Bayfield, as Youth of the Year and selected her to represent the area during the program’s state-level event, which was held March 26-27 in Denver.
The Youth of the Year program recognizes young students who display outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to healthy lifestyles, and gives them opportunities to win scholarships and receive recognition on local, state, regional and national levels.
“Through service to others, dedication to her academic goals and involvement in sports, Taylor Morris shows her commitment to personal growth and to building a strong community,” Megan Hayes, club unit director, said in a news release.
At the event in Denver, Morris was one of 12 finalists in the state who were considered for the Colorado Youth of the Year title. Each finalist gave a speech about their experiences with Boys & Girls clubs and their vision for the nation’s youths, and the winner was determined after interviews with a panel of judges.
“My experience at the Youth of the Year event was extremely eye-opening and formative,” Morris said. “I was able to meet a very diverse group of amazing, talented young people as well as enjoy experiences where I was able to look inside of myself and identify my passions at a deeper level.”
Morris has been involved in Boys & Girls clubs since she was 6 years old and attributes the development of her leadership skills to experiences she had as a member. She has completed dozens of programs supplied by the club, such as the Leaders in Training and Junior Staff programs.
Morris is a molecular biology student at DU and hopes to become a pediatric oncologist and teacher in her professional life after she graduates. She volunteers for nonprofits Café 180 and GrowHaus, which provide access to healthy foods in the Denver area. She also volunteers for highway cleanup projects, Dream League Softball and the Rise Above Colorado teen advisory committee.
“As I grew older, the club became a huge place for me to grow and explore who I was,” Morris said. “This was such a safe place for me. I never felt judged or unwanted and was able to really explore who I wanted to be.”
The Colorado Youth of the Year title was awarded to Malachi Haynes of Denver, who received a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Regional and national titles will be determined, and the winner receives scholarships and an opportunity to meet the U.S. president at the White House in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County, visit www.bgclaplata.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
