CAIRO- Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club member Ja’Cameron Spence has been named as the 2024 JRBGC Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year program recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. The Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program for Club members.
All members can benefit from participation in this program, which promotes and celebrates service to Club, community and family; academic performance; moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The Youth of the Year program is most effective when used as a year-round tool for fostering young people’s character, personal growth and leadership qualities.
Local Clubs recognize members ages 14-18 who were Youth of the Month and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competition. State winners go on to receive more than $7,000 in scholarships and participate in regional competitions. Each regional Youth of the Year, including regional military finalists, receive a $10,000 college scholarship (renewable for up to four years). The National Youth of the Year receives a $25,000 scholarship (renewable for up to four years) and is installed by the President of the United States.
Georgia has a legacy of young men and women who have made it to the Oval Office as the National Youth of the Year and some who were named Regional Youth of the Year.
This year’s local Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club of Cairo/Grady County 2024 Youth of the Year is Spence. He is the 18- year- old son of Shawntika Johnson-Spence and Keshen Spence, Sr. of Cairo, Ga. He is a senior at Cairo High School and has been a member of the JRBGC for 10 yrs.
Ja’Cameron is a JRBGC staff and current Grady County Fire & Rescue volunteer and desires to one day be a Georgia State Patrol officer.
Cam (as he is called by family & friends) holds a 3.0 GPA at CHS and is also a 2023/2024 CHS Senior Superlative.
At Cairo High School, Cam’s favorite subject is American History and his favorite teacher is Katie Ulmer.
Cam lives by an inspirational quote by Winston Churchill “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”
“At the JRBGC, Cam is always willing to do whatever is needed. He is a very busy young man that is taking on a lot of responsibilities between the club, school and his community.” says JRBGC Executive Director Stephen Francis.
Spence said what he likes most about the JRBGC is that it provides a safe and productive place for all the children to come after school. Growing up as club kids, he and his siblings took full advantage of the programs that are offered, such as Smart Moves, Character & Leadership, Health & Life Skills and Sports Fitness & Recreation to name a few.
As this year’s Youth of the Year, Spence’s first honorable assignment will be speaking at the 2024 Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club Black History Program, which will be held in Washington Middle School’s cafeteria on February 29, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.