Kelsey P. | 2016-2017 ALABAMA YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Kelsey, a graduating senior at Baker High School and last year’s winner, has been chosen as Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama’s and the State of Alabama’s 2017 Youth of the Year for the second year in a row. In fact, the State’s Youth of the Year has been a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama five times over the past seven years. Kelsey will also be competing in the Southeast Regional Youth of the Year Competition in June to advance her title.

As a member of the Cody Road Branch, she participates in the Gavel Club, an outlet for teens to improve their public speaking skills, and founded “Teen Talk,” a weekly forum where teens discuss local events and national news. Kelsey credits participation in these two programs, along with her community involvement, for growing a once “voiceless” teen into a confident and independent young adult.

At Baker High School, she is a member of the School’s acclaimed dance team, is in the Advanced Placement Program and has a weighted 4.6 GPA. After graduating, Kelsey plans to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to study political science and economics on a pre-law track. With a future law degree, she hopes to revolutionize the American welfare system, providing families the resources needed to become self-sufficient.

For winning the State title, Kelsey is the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from the Beverly Burton Scholarship Trust and a $5,000 scholarship funded by Disney, Toyota, University of Phoenix, and the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. For winning locally, she is the recipient of a $3,000 scholarship from the Emily Hearin Scholarship Fund. As a local and state Youth of the Year for two years in a row, Kelsey has received a total of $36,000 in scholarships.