Manchester, New Hampshire, Youth of the Year Announced
Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions or personal experiences.
On April 6, 2022, Manchester West High School's Riley McNamara will be honored at the SHS Media Center in Salem, New Hampshire, according to the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce.
McNamara was selected out of five total nominations as the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, according to a Manchester Ink Link article.
According to the Boys and Girls Club of America website, the Youth of the Year Program got its legs in 1947.
"Youth of the Year is our signature effort to foster the new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead a diverse, global and integrated world economy," according to the Boys and Girls Club of America website. "Youth In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone - especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood."
Riley McNamara, a nine-year member of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, is a senior at Manchester West High School according to the Manchester Ink Link article.
Although a member, McNamara also works at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, where she has held roles such as Group Leader, Area Supervisor, and Camp Counselor.
"She was described as an employee who is always willing to exceed her duties while at work and do them exceptionally," according to the Manchester Ink Link article.
The next stages for McNamara are competition. She is currently the Manchester, NH, Youth of the Year. Up next is single Youth in New Hampshire (not just Manchester).
If Riley is named the New Hampshire Youth of the Year, she will compete further for the title of Northeast Regional Youth of the Year, and could receive an additional $20,000 college scholarship according to the Manchester Ink Link article.
"Five regional finalists and the National Military Youth of the Year will advance to the National Youth of the Year event in Los Angeles in October 2022 to vie for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year," said in the Manchester Ink Link article. "The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $50,000 and a brand-new Toyota Corolla."
Go make New Hampshire proud, Riley!