More than 60 kids received recognition during the Baker Youth Club awards night Thursday. Haley Julian was named Girl of the Year and Jeremiah White Boy of the Year during the evening of outdoor fun and snacks attended by parents of some of the hundreds of kids who attend BYC after-school programs. Julissa Baez and Hunter Metzger were runners-up. While announcing the awards and recognizing staff and junior board of directors members, BYC Executive Director Tracy Furnivall noted that the Boy and Girl of the Year awards have been given out long enough – 50 or 60 years – that some previous winners are now adult staff and volunteers. He also told the kids if they didn’t get an award this year to keep trying. “If you don’t get an award, it doesn’t mean you’re not deserving... there just aren’t enough to hand out,” he said. Top Reader medals were also given out this year as part of a special program held during the Winter Olympics. Winners were Katherine Josellis, first; Sadie Walden, second; and Chloe Jones, third. Boys of the Month since August were Tommy Lancaster, Bryce McNees, Wyatt James, Jackson Martin, Hunter Martin, Kenley Velazquez, Daniel Mcgilary, Keegan Longenecker, Isiah Clark and Gage Young. Girls of the Month were Taylor Hinson, Lei Cox, Haley Julian, Brianne Ritenhour, Dashia Prater, Lina Baez, Chloe Jones, Corah Goebel, Regan Stanton and Keliz Velazquez. Awards were also given to kids who displayed the six BYC “pillars of character”: Trustworthy – Nicolette Duff, Hannah Metzger, Dre Clark and Zac Miller. Respect – Emma Moss, Lizette Martinez, Alonso Moreida and Dalton McNees. Responsible – Catheren Ashby, Anna Collins, Gage Rhodes and Nathan Johnson. Fair – Jayda Hunt, Dawshalyn Kistler, Trayvon Senders and Reilley Wood. Caring – Kylie Velazquez, Samantha Warren, Cadyn Gatke and Jesus Martinez. Citizenship – Autumn Graham, Sadie Walden, Evan Drake and Joshua Lisenbee.
