Life

NHHS senior named state Youth of the Year

Sarah Parker

By Bill Moss, Published: April 4, 2016

Sarah Parker, an A-student at North Henderson High School and a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County for the past three years, has been named the North Carolina Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.

As the North Carolina Youth of the Year, Parker will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state and will receive college scholarships totaling $10,000 from BGCA and North Carolina Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs. This summer, Parker competes against other finalists within the Southeast Region. If named regional winner, she will be awarded an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. A teenager from the Hendersonville club has won the top youth leadership award for North Carolina in eight of the past 12 years.
Ultimately, six youth, including five regional winners and a military youth winner, will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2016, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable for four years up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the president at the White House.
Parker is an active part of the Keystone Club, a teen leadership and community service group. She was also chosen as the Club’s SMART Girls ambassador in 2015 and earned a position as part of the organization's Junior Staff as well, assisting during programs with the Club’s youngest members. She plans to pursue degrees in Spanish and Art at Berea College, where she recently received the Pinnacle Scholar Award of Excellence in the area of service.
“I strive for excellence in all that I do, and I want to make a difference in the world. I want to impact those around me,” Parker said. “The Boys and Girls Club is one of the greatest places I know. I am proud to be part of it and also blessed for all it has done in my life,” she added.
Hunter Subaru, the Local Youth of the Year Sponsor, awarded Parker a $1,000 scholarship in January after she won the Henderson County Youth of the Year title. “We’re thrilled for Sarah. She’s a great example of what can happen with hard work and dedication,” said Randy Hunter, Owner of Hunter Subaru. “As we celebrate more than 75 years in business, we couldn’t be prouder to support the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. We care about our community, and the Club has a huge, positive impact on the lives and education of so many families in our region.”