Holloman teen wins Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Holloman Air Force Base Youth Programs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A local teen won the Boys & Girls Club of New Mexico Military Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship March 2.

Brianna Sheperd, 17, daughter of Master Sgt. Duane Sheperd, 49th Wing superintendent of plans and programs, will go on to compete at the regional and national levels.

"As the new Youth of the Year for Holloman AFB Youth Programs, Brianna is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for her sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community," said Genevieve Melon, Holloman AFB Youth Programs director.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As the organization'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. The program's honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

"Brianna is a special young lady," said Melon. "She has worked very hard and her achievements in school, in the community, and in the club are amazing. I know she will succeed in the future and continue to be a great example of great character and leadership in all she does."

Brianna is a proud member of Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service, Air Force Teen Council, National Honor Society, Student 2 Student, Golden Scholar, and Interact Club, according to Melon. In each extracurricular activity, she does her best to work toward the club's common goal. As the Holloman Air Force Teen Council Representative, Brianna engages in conference calls and implements Air Force initiatives through Keystone Club. In National Honor Society, she assists in planning community service projects. In Student 2 Student, Brianna is the president and takes part in developing the events and activities. Brianna is always working to integrate these projects into the Club.

"Being in her last year of high school, this serves as one of Brianna's most important years of education and she treats it as such," said Melon. "She is always talking about her plans for college and the latest scholarship. Everything she has done in her academic career has been working towards her long term goal of going to college on a scholarship and becoming a successful engineer. This past November, Brianna was able to say all of her work paid off and her goal was achieved. Receiving a call from a scholarship program saying that she has been accepted to Stanford University on a four-year scholarship was by far the most exciting moment of her life."

Brianna's father is proud of her accomplishments.

"I am very proud of my daughter Brianna," said Sheperd. "Since she was a little girl, she began a vigorous quest for knowledge by constantly reading to the point that she would be forced to put the books down and just play. Because I know how dedicated and self-disciplined she is, it is no surprise that she has earned high rewards for her accomplishments."

Academics are not the only area in which she works hard, according to Sheperd. She also has participated in many sports in which she has been very a competitive and effective team member.

"Her accomplishments are many, and the one she is most excited about is the opportunity to attend Stanford University next fall on a full-ride academic scholarship. She is a wonderful young lady and I am looking forward to seeing what she will accomplish in life. She gives me inspiration to continue to do well in the military and in all that I do."

If Brianna wins the regional title, she will receive 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 winner 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 at the White House.

About Holloman AFB Youth Programs
The Holloman Youth and Teen Center sponsors activities, events, and services designed to meet the recreational, social, emotional, and educational development of youth ages 6 to 18 years of age.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve nearly 4 million children and teens through club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. The organization's national headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.