Exceptional Bend Teen Wins Youth of The Year Honor For Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon
Selected among several local outstanding youth, Jennie Pedrick received this year’s Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon’s (BGCCO) Youth of the Year title and an $18,500 college scholarship provided by PCC Structurals, Inc. Next month, Pedrick will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Oregon Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation.
As the new Youth of the Year for Boy & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, 18-year old Pedrick is a true example of an extraordinary young woman 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. 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.
“Our staff team feels like happy parents, watching Jennie become a wonderful adult and achieving a great honor. We are glowing with pride! Jennie represents BGCCO as well as embodies the lifelong impact the Clubs have on youth over time –
from elementary school, middle to high school,” said Lisa Maxwell, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon.
Pedrick has been a member at the Downtown Bend Club since she was five years old. Ever since Pedrick became a member, she has been looking for ways to give back to the Club. She has been a part of several different leadership groups in and outside of the Club. At the Club, Pedrick was a part of Torch Club and now is a member of Keystone. In addition to her volunteer work at the Club she is a Junior Staff at the East Bend Club. She enjoys this position because it gives her an opportunity to give back to the organization and the youth. To be eligible to become a Junior Staff at the Boys & Girls Club, Pedrick was required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of club service and 50 hours of community service, which she completed through Keystone, mainly by helping other Junior Staff during the summer program.
Pedrick, a senior at Bend Senior High school, will be graduating this June and will attend the Oregon Institute of Technology this fall. She plans to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother pursuing a degree in the medical field and will be studying echocardiography.
If she wins at the state competition, Pedrick will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. 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 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.
