My Journey as Youth of the Year

April 28, 2022

As the 2022 Youth of the Year, I’ve already been given so many opportunities to meet new people from all over Wisconsin, and I’m grateful for the chance to learn something from each one of them.

While preparing for the State Youth of the Year competition, I learned how to put my story into written words. I never told anyone about my story, not even my best friends when I was in Nigeria. Turning my story into words made me realize how much impact it has had on me and how important it is, and like my sister said while I was memorizing it, these moments were some of the toughest times my family and I had to go through.

After giving my speech at WineFeast, I came to realize just how many people care about the kids at my Club. Through my Club, I’ve come to experience what it is to be a leader. I was my Keystone Club secretary and now serving as current co-president. Through Keystone Club, I’m currently working on a project with the group to educate people about climate change. I’m also part of my school’s soccer team, multicultural club, and African dance team. Through my Club, I’ve also had the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering. We’ve volunteered at Recovery Solutions, made food for the Hope Fridge, made cards for residents living at assisted living homes, and made dog toys for shelters. I’m proud to be able to give back to the community I live in and help others.

What I’ve been most looking forward to about being the Youth of the Year is how this opens the door to so many great things. I plan on using this experience to achieve my goal of starting an NGO (non-governmental organization) to help people from my country. This will help me improve my public speaking skills, gain a better understanding of how organizations function, and experience what fundraising is firsthand. Being Youth of the Year will be an overall amazing learning experience for me.

To the younger kids at the Club, I will just say this, no matter how many things you have to complete or whatever problem you encounter completing them (mine was procrastination), don’t give up. Instead, seek out people and programs like mentoring and the Club’s Be Great Graduate that will push you to strive forward and will aid you on your path to success!

-By Goodness, 2022 Youth of the Year

More about Goodness:

Goodness moved to the United States in January of 2018 from Nigeria. She is in her senior year at Oshkosh North High School and aspires to be a neurosurgeon in the future.

Last fall, Goodness became our Youth of the Year after competing against three other Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh members. As our 2022 Youth of the Year, Goodness was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Boys & Girls Club’s Charles F. Hyde, Jr. Youth of the Year Scholarship Endowment.

In March, Goodness competed for Wisconsin State Youth of the Year alongside Youth of the Year winners from all over Wisconsin. While she didn’t win the competition she did an amazing job with her speech and the Club staff were there to cheer her on every step of the way.

Goodness got the chance to speak at the Club’s WineFeast in October, she will speak to Club girls at the Afternoon Tea event in July and will have several opportunities to share her story and speak to area organizations about her journey to the Youth of the Year title.

Make sure to Save the Date for the Youth of the Year Dinner on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh. Goodness will be recognized at the celebration dinner along with all of our youths of the month. If you’re interested in attending the Youth of the Year Dinner please contact Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, Katie Talken at katiet@bgcosh.org or at 920-233-1414 ext. 129.