Bend High senior earns ‘Youth of the Year’ honors
Selected among three competing local outstanding youth as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Oregon’s Youth of the Year, Bethanie Miller of Bend High School accepted an $18,500 scholarship made possible by a generous donation from PCC Structurals last week.
The PCC Structurals’ scholarship aids youth with five years of college tuition and a laptop for school studies. Miller now competes with other Northwest teens for an additional $1,000 scholarship.
As the local Youth of the Year, 18-year old Bethanie Miller is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized for overcoming obstacles and turning her attention into giving back to the community, applying her leadership skills, and showing sound character in her decisions.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon (BGCCO) has a tradition of selecting outstanding youth members to hold the Youth of the Year honor.
As BGCCO’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.
Bethanie said of her Youth of the Year honor, “As I am planning for college and getting ready to graduate, I can’t help but look back on the place that gave me the opportunities that I have, with respect and enlightenment.
“I love The Club, for the last seven years I have loved it like the home that it is to me, and it has loved me back. Because that’s what it does. The Club supports and it enriches people’s lives, just as it has supported and enriched mine.”
She continued, “There is not much in life that I will be able to look back on at this point and think, this is the place that helped create me. This is the place that took in my fears, hesitation, and shyness, and helped turn it all around. The Club made me who I am today.”
Bethanie has been a Club member at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon- Bend Club for over seven years. She is involved in a variety of programs within the Boys & Girls Club ranging from leadership clubs, to education programs to health and life skills programs. She is currently a Jr. Staff at the Bend Club as well.
Bethanie is a senior at Bend Senior High School, and after graduation, she intends to attend Portland Community College with the intention of entering a dual enrollment nursing programming in the future through OHSU.
