The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming is proud to announce that Danny Villalobos has been named the State Youth of the Year. The 15 year old Club member competed in the state competition Feb. 18 in Cheyenne. He will go on to represent Wyoming in the regional competition in Texas in June.

Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier recognition program for Club members, promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The program is used as a year-round tool for fostering young people’s character, personal growth and leadership qualities.

Contestants are judged in several categories presented in written essays, an oral speech, and live interviews. In addition to the competition, the finalists were introduced on the floor of the state House and Senate, spent time with the Governor and members of his Cabinet including the Secretary of State, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and state legislators.

As the state winner, Danny won $5,000 toward college expenses and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wyoming, made possible through sponsorships from UW, the Wyoming School Boards Association, and the Boys & Girls Club Wyoming Alliance. This, in addition, to the $1,250 scholarship award he received as a local winner.

The Kelly Walsh High School sophomore has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming for nine years. He has a passion for learning foreign languages and plans to further pursue the study of modern and classical languages in college. He will travel to Japan with his Japanese class this spring to immerse himself in the Japanese culture.

State winners receive scholarships and participate in regional competitions. Five regional winners each receive a $10,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives up to an additional $50,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.