Benson Polytechnic Junior Receives Youth Of The Year Award

PORTLAND, OR — The Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metro named a Benson Polytechnic High School junior as its Oregon Youth of the Year, the organization announced Thursday, following the Youth of the Year award luncheon at Veteran's Memorial Coliseum Wednesday.

Teya Shearer is an 11-year member of the Regence Boys & Girl Club in North Portland's New Columbia/Portsmouth neighborhood. She was honored Nov. 8 for her outgoing attitude and commitment to volunteering at multiple organizations throughout the metro area, including the Health Occupations Students of America, Rosa Parks Elementary School, Charles Jordan Community Center, and Regence. At her high school, Shearer also reportedly is an active member of the Women's Empowerment Club.

"The (Regence Boys & Girls) Club has positively shaped my life in so many ways. They have always been a family to me and the whole community," Shearer said in a statement. "Seeing the power of community-building has shown me that I am part of a community and should be nice to everyone and because of that, I volunteer as much as a can. I want to make a positive impact on the younger kids in my community."

Shearer was selected by a panel of judges who heard speeches from five Youth of the Year candidates representing Boys & Girls Clubs in Hillsboro and Forest Grove. Each candidate was also reportedly required to participate in one-on-one interviews.

Piggybacking on her prestigious award, Shearer — who plans to matriculate at Occidental College's medical school — also received a $1,000 college scholarship, and next March will participate in the Oregon State Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition in Portland as the Metro Clubs' representative.

Portland-area Boys & Girls Clubs reportedly select a Youth of the Month throughout the year to represent their local clubs in competition for Youth of the Year.

This year's four runner-ups each received a $500 college scholarship.

Three of the finalists represented the Inukai Family Club in Hillsboro. They are:

• Aaliyah Al-Shammari;
• Rachel Butzer; and
• Mayra Estrada.

Sofie Dobberfuhl, from the YouthForce program in Forest Grove, was the fifth finalist.

Photos Courtesy: Boys & Girls Club