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A young man who credits the Boys & Girls Club for helping him look beyond the surface and look past differences has been named Central Wyoming’s Youth of the Year for 2019-20.  A senior at Kelly Walsh High School, Brentan Brown won a $5,000.00 Ruth R. Ellbogen Education Award, along with the chance to compete at the state level in February.

For Brentan a life change forced him to see his world a little differently. He says moving from South Dakota to Casper as a young boy was jolting. It was when he started attending the Boys & Girls Club that he began to learn that his view of the world was quite narrow; that not everyone was like him and that was ok.

“The Club widened the lens through which I saw life and taught me not to judge people,” said Brentan, “I learned that I could be friends with someone even if their story wasn’t like mine or if they didn’t look quite like me. I want to use my voice and these lessons as a tool for change as your Youth of the Year to reach as many people as possible and help others expand their lenses.”

Brentan plans to study law in college.

Kayla Messmer and Ethan Dickinson, seniors at Kelly Walsh High School, each received a $250 Ruth R. Ellbogen Education Award as finalists.

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.