BRATTLEBORO — Derrick Harnish has just been selected to represent the state of Vermont in the northeast regional Youth of the Year competition in New York City this summer.
He will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members from 14 northeast states for the title of the Northeast Regional Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship.
As the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, Harnish is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for his sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
Harnish is a 17-year-old junior at Brattleboro Union High School and is looking forward to attending college after graduation. When he gets to college Harnish plans to studying writing, music, and maybe politics and hopes to one day combine all of those to help make people laugh while making the world a better place.
A fixture at the club on Flat Street since he was 10 years old, Harnish is President of Keystone (teen leadership) Club and a Junior Staff member. When he isn't at the club, Harnish can often be found working on a project or a performance at the New England Youth Theater or doing a community service project with the Interfaith Youth Group.
In a Montpelier ceremony May 4, Harnish was named Vermont Youth of the Year, and also received a $5,000 scholarship from Disney and Toyota, and a $1,000 scholarship from 99 Restaurants.
“Derrick works hard and gives back, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do,” said Ricky Davidson, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, in a news release. “He is always a role model and positive influence to those around him.”