Area’s Youth of the Year honored | Local News – Rocky Mount Telegram

Red Carpet: check. Crowd of proud community members: check. Three young shining examples of leadership from the Boys & Girls Clubs: triple check.

On Tuesday night, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region recognized Nia Ewuell, Caleb Woodard and Elijah Sellars as finalists in the regional level of the Youth of the Year competition. Of these three, one also was selected as the winner and will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the chance to compete in the state level of the competition.

I want to tell these kids and remind everyone that the world needs contributions from everyone, said Ron Green, CEO of the club. Its not just his story or her story. Its our story.

The winner was announced at the end of the show. Leading up to the report, attendees were able to enjoy a step dance performance by a group in the club, listen to a speech by Green that rhymed impressively all the way through and talked about famous African-Americans such as Frederick Douglass and Serena Williams, sing along with Tobias Hopkins to U2s Lean On Me and watch in amazement as another young man from the club played an electric guitar along to Michael Jacksons Rock the Night Away.

Everyone was so excited to clap for him that he had to give a thumbs up for when he was done as small rounds of applause kept breaking out during the song.

The audience also heard from the three finalists. Prior to the event, contestants had been judged by six members of the community for things such as academic success, public speaking ability and demonstrated leadership within the club. A shopping trip for formal dress clothing was sponsored by Rocky Mount Toyota.

Woodward spoke first, dressed in a classy blue suit. He thanked the club for the love and time they had poured into him and talked about how, moving forward, he wanted to focus on addressing the growing obesity rate in youth.

Sellars, in a sharp burgundy suit and bow tie, brought a remarkable energy to the stage. His speech sounded as though it was a series of journal entries, all beginning with: Are you there, God? Its me, followed by discussion of a rough childhood involving topics such as drugs and an absent father, as well as the happiness he found in the Boys & Girls Clubs.

In a stylish pink blouse, black suit and heels, Ewuell spoke about how the club influenced who she has become, recognizing the empathy and acceptance she has learned and her plans to continue to develop those traits as she becomes a lawyer.

All three received a commemorative medal and a gift. Woodward was announced as third, leaving Sellars and Ewuell waiting at the front of the stage.

Green paused for a long moment, then finally announced: Of our two remaining, it couldve been either one. Tonight, our winner is Elijah Sellars.

As soon as Sellars was announced, he and Ewuell grabbed onto each other in a hug, with Woodward joining soon after. After several pictures with the oversized check and various members of the club, Sellars was able to approach the podium with his closing remarks, a grin stretched wide across his face.

To all of the kids from the Boys & Girls Club here today, and everyone else too, we are the future, but we are also the present, he said. Its up to us. I challenge each one of us to start shaping our own futures.

Sellars, a sophomore, hopes to one day attend either N.C. State University or Duke University to study genetic engineering. He plans to use the scholarship to help pay for his education, or, if expenses can be covered another way, use the money to invest in another youth of the year by sponsoring a shopping trip or another way to give back.

What I learned from the Boys & Girls Club is just how important it is to lean on one another, Sellars said. Im excited to represent kids Ive known my whole life, kids I know and love, in this competition. Im nervous about the next step, of course, but I know I have my clubs support.

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Area's Youth of the Year honored | Local News - Rocky Mount Telegram