The Youth of the Year is a leadership recognition program designed by Boys & Girls Club of America to highlight outstanding teen club members who embody healthy lifestyles, academic excellence, good character, and leadership throughout the movement.

It is described as the highest honor a teen club member can achieve as a member of a Boys and Girls Club.

In late March, Princess Lovett, a 9th grader at Reading High School and a current club member at the Pendora Unit, was named as the Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s 2021 Youth of the Year Winner after a local, internal competition.

Princess was recognized for her role as a mentor and positive role model at the Club and her advocacy for her peers in the local community. With a group of her peers and with the support of VoiceUP and the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, Princess formed the group “Girls Supporting Girls. Period” which addressed the issue of menstrual equity within her school and the community.

“To compete with Boys & Girls Club members from across Pennsylvania and be announced as the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth of the Year is such an incredible moment for me. I am shocked and humbled all at the same time. This is so special to me, my family and our Club” said Princess.

Princess is passionate about helping others, which has led to her goal of attending Stanford University to study law and advocate for those treated unfairly within the criminal justice system.

Chris Winters, President and CEO of Olivet Boys & Girls Club stated, “Princess Lovett is an amazing young lady who has demonstrated her ability to be a voice for the youth in our Club and our community. She has touched the lives of not only her fellow youth, but also our Olivet Team, her teachers and our younger Club members. Most of all, Princess’s love for and dedication to her family is admired and respected by all. Our Team believes in Princess and we cannot wait to see the future impact she has on our community.”

On Wednesday, April 28th, Princess participated in the Boys & Girls Club’s virtual Pennsylvania state competition where she competed with teen winners from other Boys & Girls Clubs across the state, including Philadelphia, Lancaster, Easton, and Western Pennsylvania.

“The Olivet Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors congratulates Princess on this truly great accomplishment. The demonstration of her leadership among the youth of our Club and our community is testament to her character and commitment to her fellow youth. Today, we celebrate her win in the statewide competition but most all we celebrate the positive impact and influence Princess has on our Club youth and our community,” expressed John Massaro, Olivet Board President.

Princess won the competition and has been officially named the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year for Pennsylvania. Princess will now advance to the regional competition where she will compete with other state winners in the Northeast Region in June.

“What a statement about our Olivet youth and our efforts to help launch great futures at Olivet Boys & Girls Club! Princess is a great mentor to her fellow Club members and her siblings” said Dejalyn Ware, Site Director at the Olivet Pendora site and Princess’s Director.

“She worked hard, staying committed to who she is and where she came from. This about Princess and her love of her community and her wanting to return and make a difference in the lives of others.”

This is an incredible achievement for Princess and recognition of the impact the Olivet organization and its community partners has on the youth of Reading and Berks County.

The last time that Olivet Boys & Girls Club had a club member win the state competition was in 2002.

Read the original article on Berks Weekly.