Candidates compete for Lawrence Youth of the Year

The six candidates for the annual Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Youth of the Year award completed their interviews with the competition’s panel of judges Saturday morning at the club’s teen center, 1520 Haskell Ave.

Candidates for the Boys & Girls Club's Lawrence Youth of the Year award, from front left: Grace Barr, Hannah Moyer, Jazmen Fowler; rear left, Christian Easpinosa, Marcya Floyd and Breanna Bell.

The Youth of the Year program honors and recognizes outstanding teenage members who have overcome challenges in life and developed clear visions for their futures. Boys & Girls Club staff nominates the candidates, and those interested in participating complete an application packet. As part of the application, each candidate submits three essays, three letters of recommendation, their resume and school transcripts.

The panel of judges makes the decision based off the application packet, interview and speech given by each candidate. Candidates will deliver their speeches Feb. 4 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

If you go

The 2015 Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year celebration will be on Feb. 4 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will highlight each candidate’s character, personal growth, academic success, leadership qualities and life goals.

Each candidate will give a speech and share their personal story. Following the speeches, the panel of judges will decide on and announce the winner. The winner will advance to the state competition on March 9 in Topeka. State winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and participate in regional competitions.

• Grace Barr is a senior at Lawrence High School. Barr plans to attend either Baker University or Kansas State University, both of which have offered her scholarships. She would like to be an elementary choir teacher. Barr works three jobs and also participates in the Can We Talk program.

• Breanna Bell is a senior at Lawrence High School. After high school, Bell is debating between culinary and cosmetology school. Bell would like to incorporate cooking and working with kids. She participates in the Cultural Heritage Panel, Can We Talk and the FYI Youth Coalition.

• Christian Espinosa is a senior at Lawrence High School. Espinosa plans to attend Kansas University to study elementary education. Espinosa plays the viola in the LHS orchestra and previously played on the basketball team. He is also a group leader at the Hillcrest Elementary Boys & Girls Club.

• Jazmen Fowler is a senior at Lawrence High School. Fowler plans to attend cosmetology school directly following high school before going to college. Fowler is considering studying to become a child therapist, Realtor or starting her own business. She participates in the FYI Youth Coalition.

• Marcya Floyd is a junior at Free State High School. Floyd would like to work with children and one day own her own business. After high school, Floyd plans to attend college to study either elementary education or social work. Floyd participates in the Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club, FYI Youth Coalition, Kansas City Marching Cobras drill team, Can We Talk and yoga club.

• Hannah Moyer is a senior at Free State High School. Moyer plans to attend Johnson County Community College and would like to be an interior designer. She participates in art club, high school soccer and the Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club. Moyer also volunteers at the Deerfield Elementary Boys & Girls Club.