Greenwich Boys and Girls Club Names Youth of the Year

Kyla Johnson has been a member of the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club since the fourth grade.

It is there that she has participated in a range of the club’s programs including academic tutoring, singing club and knitting club. Kyla learned to skate in the club’s ice rink and learned to swim in the club’s pool. Now, she is a member the Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. Kyla is also a Clubhouse part-time staff member who takes pride in her work to help her younger counterparts with their homework, ice skating and their artwork.

All of that hard work for the Greenwich High School student who maintains a 4.3 GPA has been recognized with her selection as Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Kyla was selected from several local outstanding youth candidates and will now compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Connecticut Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

The Youth of the Year program honors inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire.

As the new Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Kyla is recognized for her leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. “I am very grateful to be honored as the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s Youth of the Year. I take this honor seriously and will make it my duty to be a positive role model for my peers and the younger Club members,” Kyla said.

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“Kyla is a highly intelligent young woman who has a calm spirit, yet exuberant personality,” said Bobby Walker Jr., the club’s CEO. He added, “There is no doubt that with her maturity, great self confidence, willingness to serve her community and above average GPA, that this young lady will represent the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich greatly. Our members, Club staff and Board of Directors couldn’t be more proud to have selected her for this honor.”

At Greenwich High her favorite subjects are English and history. Her interests outside of BGCG include running track, where she has recently placed to compete in States, playing violin in her school’s orchestra and participating in the Minority Student Achievement Network. She also likes to read, write and learn about new cultures. In addition to volunteering at BGCG, she lends some of her time to the Greenwich Education Alliance. Kyla is looking forward to attending college where she can pursue a degree in International Relations.

Someday, Kyla hopes to be a part of the movement to eradicate child sex trafficking and provide rehabilitation to children forced to work as soldiers in third world countries.

If Kyla wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, DC, 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 $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.

Photo Contributed by Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich: Kyla Johnson, 2016 Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Youth of the Year.