Alissa Schilling wins Missouri Youth of the Year

Springfield, MO. April 16, 2020 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is pleased to announce that Alissa Schilling has been named the Missouri Youth of the Year.

As State Youth of the Year winner, Alissa will receive two scholarships: $1,000 from Missouri Area Council and $2,500 from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Earlier in the year Alissa, was named the Springfield Youth of the Year.

Alissa states, "The Club was not a place for me…it was a life-saver."

Alissa now will go on to contend for the regional Youth of the Year and ultimately National Youth of the Year. She will join the Youth of the Year winners from the other 12 states in the Midwest Regional Youth of the Year. The winner of the Midwest Regional Youth of the Year title will receive a $20,000 college scholarship.

"I am fortunate enough to know Alissa. I have seen her grow. I have watched her work really hard and overcome so much. I have watched her serve the community and balance so many responsibilities. It's one of the most inspiring things. She could have easily been a statistic in a textbook. She worked really hard not to be, “ says Brandy Harris, Chief Executive Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.  “Alissa is a warrior. She thanks so many Club staff members and SPS teachers for their guidance and support, but I can confidently say Alissa has changed our lives too. We are inexplicably proud of her and cannot wait for her to represent the State of Missouri at the regional competition."

The Midwest Regional Youth of the Year will then move on to compete for the title of National Youth of the Year, representing more than 4,500 Boys & Girls Club members across the country and military installations around the world. The National Youth of the Year Competition takes place in Washington DC and historically includes recognition at a Congressional Breakfast with an opportunity for the five regional finalists to spend time in the oval office with the President of the United States. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional scholarship of $50,000.

Alissa plans to attend Missouri State University in Fall 2020.

About the Youth of the Year Program: The Youth of the Year program is supported by Toyota. As a Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Toyota is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Clubs provide life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to explore, develop and apply the essential skills they need to be successful in life and work. Youth of the Year representatives are the workforce leaders, innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.  For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org. 

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Club offers daily access to a broad range of programs in five core program areas: The Arts, Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Giving the youth of our community the proper tools, they need to become successful students and citizens is an important part of our mission. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield provides program opportunities to over 13,000 local youth each year. Parents interested in having their children join the Club and learn more about its youth programs can contact the organization at 417.862.9249 or visit www.bgclubspringfield.org. 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America 

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,600 Clubs serve over 4.7 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter. 

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