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Olivet Club’s Youth of the Year, Princess, Wins 2021 PA State Competition

May 03, 2021
Photograph by Ben Hasty, Photojournalist-Reading Eagle, Ownership of photo belongs to Getty Images

Reading, PA – 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Princess, the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth of the Year, said, “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.”

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.”

“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.

Dejalyn Ware, Site Director at the Olivet Pendora site and Princess’s Director, said, “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. 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.”-

 

About the Olivet Boys & Girls Club:

The Olivet Clubs provide a safe environment for youth ages 6-18 by providing programs that encourage character development, education, life skills, healthy living and exposure to arts and culture. These programs, along with guidance from our staff, allow kids to find their way out of poverty to become productive, outstanding members of society.

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club has a strong reputation for providing life-changing experiences to its members, including mentoring experiences with diverse, trained and caring staff and volunteers who want to make a difference in the life of a child.

A chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Olivet Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 3,000 members a year at 10 sites located in Reading, Robesonia, and Shillington. The Club was founded in 1898. Its mission is “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as healthy, caring, productive, responsible citizens.”

For more information about Olivet Boys & Girls Club visit www.olivetbgc.org

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