Notable teen

It’s wonderful to see a young woman like Trei Dudley getting attention for all the right reasons.

On Wednesday, the 18-year-old Lawrence resident was honored as the Boys and Girls Club of America’s National Youth of the Year. The award, presented in Washington, D.C., celebrates young people who have overcome long odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments.

In accepting the award, Trei acknowledged that her story could have turned out much differently if she hadn’t gotten involved with the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club when she was in kindergarten. Her mother alluded to the fact that Trei’s home life wasn’t always perfect, and both mother and daughter gave the local club credit for providing an important support system.

In time, Trei wanted to pass along that support, first as a mentor and, later, as a junior staffer at the local club. Now she has graduated from Free State High School and is a freshman at the University of Arkansas.

Trei’s story is off to a great start, but it’s far from over. We wish her the best in her college career and all of her future endeavors. She has made her hometown proud.