Youth of the Year

Cameron Hamilton, 2016 and 2017 Youth of the Year Selected among several local outstanding youth, Cameron Hamilton has been named the 2016 Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County. Cameron, a 16-year-old freshman at Greeneville High School, is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. He is the son of Thomas "TA" Hamilton and Amber Carter. Cameron has been a member since 2005, when he was five years old. He enjoys taking the multiple trips he gets to go on for the Club, helping out staff and other Club members and is active in many of the Boys & Girls Club programs and activities. Through his many years at the Boys & Girls Club, Cameron has formed a brotherly bond with staff members Chaz and Phelan Story. Cameron is very active at Greeneville High School and is a member of the Junior ROTC program.
Recently, Cameron competed in Nashville, Tennessee for the title of 2016 Tennessee State Youth of the Year held March 28 through March 30, 2016. Nineteen teens from the state of Tennessee converged for a three-day fun-filled Youth of the Year competition where each Club member gave a three minute speech on their Club experience, personal brand and vision for America's youth. While in attendance, Cameron attended a Nashville Predators Hockey Game, completed a community service project and attend the grand Youth of the Year luncheon where $45,000 in scholarships were distributed to the winners.
"Cameron is living proof of the Boys &Girls Club mission. His leadership inside and outside of the Boys & Girls Club, his demonstration of responsibility and his service to Club and community has set him above and beyond his peers," said Scott Bullington Executive Director.
In addition to our overall Youth of the Year, the Boys & Girls Club named our Middle and Elementary School Youths of the Year. The Middle School Youth of the Year winner is Kendall Gregg. She is a 6th grader at Greeneville Middle School and is the daughter of Jacob and Tammy Gregg, and her mother is Jessica Gregg. Kendall has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since 2011. She enjoys helping out with the younger kids, playing board and video games, spending time in the computer room and arts and crafts activities. When she is older she hopes to be a nurse. Her favorite staff are Markeyla Helton and Phelan Story. The Elementary Youth of the Year winner is Gabriel Pomroff. Gabriel is a 5th grader at Doak Elementary School and is the son of Mike and Tammy Pomroff. Gabriel has been a member for the Boys & Girls Club since 2010. Gabriel has played in our youth football league for the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights, and he enjoys competitive sports. Gabriel likes to play basketball, enjoys the computer room and likes to compete in the game room, especially playing carpet pool. His favorite staff is Megan Hensley.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA's premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs

Cheyenne Gray, 2014 and 2015 Youth of the Year As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County Cheyenne Gray is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by BGCA for her leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Cheyenne’s service to her Club is proof that she is a result of the Club’s mission. She has demonstrated responsibility with her work at the Club, leadership at school and in the community. Her potential continues to shine as she has grown into a leader at the Club,” said Scott Bullington, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County.
Cheyenne has participated in many ways to help her Club since becoming a member in 2009. She has been involved with litter pickups, Christmas Caroling at nursing homes and painting. She assists with afternoon snacks, took a lead role in coordinating our annual Thanksgiving meal we offer at the Club, volunteering to work our annual Day for Kids event, aiding staff members with younger Club members in program areas. Her commitment to give back to her Boys & Girls Club, allowed her to get her foot in the door to volunteer with the Club’s special events such as the Bob Kesling Celebrity Golf Classic, Champions Dinner, Celebrity Auction and our Youth Football Kickoff Classic and assisted with assembling Celebrity Auction letters.
Cheyenne takes advantage of each opportunity she receives to help out at the Boys & Girls Club. Helping the Club with special events is exciting and inspiring. She feels important and empowered that she is making a difference. She works with younger members, and is setting an example for them and unknowingly becoming their role model.
In addition to Cheyenne’s work at the Club, she has taken part in numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the Greeneville and Greene County community. Cheyenne also volunteers with the Greene County Partnership’s Sports Council and Tourism Department.
The Middle School Youth of the Year winner is 12-year old Marissa Keller. Marissa is a 6th grader at Greeneville Middle School. During her time at the Club, Marissa enjoys spending time in the Games Room. Her favorite activity at the Club is getting involved in community service. Her favorite staff is Whitney Thomas. Marissa is the daughter of Karen Keller.
The Elementary Youth of the Year winner is 11-year old Deja Brinson. Deja is a 5th grader at Hal Henard Elementary School. While at the Club, her favorite room is the Computer Room because she is able to enjoy multiple games. Deja’s favorite staff at the Club is Cathy Osborne. Deja is the daughter of Calvin Brinson and Amber Blue.

Kyra White, 2013 Youth of the Year Selected among several local outstanding youth, Kyra White competed against other Boys & Girls Club members for the local Youth of the Year title. As the High School Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, then 14-year old freshman at Greeneville High School, Kyra was a true example of an extraordinary young lady recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
On Tuesday, March 26th, Kyra competed against 18 other Youth of the Year statewide finalist chosen from 51,000 youth who are served in Tennessee by Boys & Girls Clubs. Kyra was joined in Nashville by her mother Onya White. In addition to the Youth of the Year competition, finalists had the opportunity to spend time at the Capitol and hear Governor Bill Haslam address a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Kyra also visited with local legislators, Senator Steve Southerland and Representative David Hawk.
“We are proud to have Kyra as our local Youth of the Year. She represented Greeneville and Greene County very well at the state competition,” Scott Bullington, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club said. “Kyra is an outstanding student and person,” said Cathy Osborne, program director of the local Boys & Girls Club. “She is a very well-rounded individual, who has a good head on her shoulders. I feel that she will go above and beyond all expectations we have for her.”
Kyra was very active at Greeneville High School as she was the Freshman Representative for the Key Club. She was also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, First Priority, Spirit Nation and the Junior Varsity Basketball team. While involved in these extracurricular activities, Kyra held a 3.0 GPA. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. At Friendship Baptist Church, she was the Secretary of Sunday School, a member of the youth choir and a member of the praise and dance team.
A seven year member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, Kyra knewall too well just how powerful the Club can be in a child’s life. When asked about her experience at the Boys & Girls Club, Kyra stated, “The Boys & Girls Club is like a second family to me. I love coming here and seeing my friends and the staff. This place is like home to me.” When Kyra attended the Club, she enjoyed the Arts & Crafts room, playing games in the Gym with her friends and helping out where she was needed as a Jr. Staff. Kyra is the daughter of Kline and Onya White of Greeneville.
The Middle School Youth of the Year winner was 12-year old Cameron Hamilton. Cameron was a 7th grader at Greeneville Middle School. At school, Cameron was a member of the Honors Choir. He had attended the Club for eight years. Cameron was very active in the Club’s Torch Club. Torch Clubs are charter small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. When at the Club, Cameron enjoyed hanging out in the Gamesroom and assisting as a Jr. Staff. Cameron took pleasure in seeing his friends after school and during the summer at the Club. At church, Cameron sang in the choir. In his free time, Cameron liked to go to the skating rink and read books. Cameron is the son of Thomas Hamilton and Amber Carter of Greeneville.
The Elementary Youth of the Year winners were 8-year old Lindsay Foster and 9-year old Kylee Ricker. Lindsay was in the 3th grade at Doak Elementary School and had been a member of the Club for three years then. Lindsay took part in the Club’s gardening program. At the Club, Lindsay enjoyed spending time in the gym and computer room. Lindsay said, “Power Hour helps me get me homework done so that I can spend more time with my mom when I get home.” Lindsay is the daughter of Heather Foster of Greeneville. Kylee was in the 3rd grade at Hal Henard Elementary School. Kylee had been a member of the Club for a year then. Kylee tookpart in the Club’s Power Hour program. Kylee enjoyed attending Power Hour as it helped her complete her homework each day and improve her grades at school. Her favorite rooms at the Club were the Computer Room and Gym where she enjoyed hanging out and playing games with friends. Kylee is the daughter of April Ricker of Greeneville.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.