By Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region
BAY REGION – Four finalists in the Great Lakes Bay Region Youth of the Year competition gave speeches before a panel of community leaders this week, with Saria Beemon, 16, of Saginaw ultimately selected to represent thousands of local youths at the state capitol in April.
Hosted at Garber Management Group by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, the competition identifies one youth from the 1,660 young people the organization serves each year. Nominees must deliver a speech about themselves and the changes they want to see in their communities before being interviewed by a panel of local leaders. Judges for this year’s competition included State Rep. Amos O’Neal, State Rep. Timmy Beson, TV-5 Anchor Colette Boyd, Covenant Healthcare’s Beth Charlton, and Scott Stanger of Michigan Sugar Company. According to the panel, Beemon distinguished herself through inspirational bravery and unwavering honesty.
“I refuse to let my circumstances define me,” Beemon said. “Despite having a learning disability that has made school challenging, I have never let it hold me back. Every day, I push beyond what doctors and educators have told me I couldn’t do, and a big part of that strength comes from the Boys & Girls Club.”
Beemon and her younger siblings have been members of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Saginaw KidsCampus and Teen Center for four years. She credits the Club with helping her come out of her shell and instilling in her the confidence to share her ideas with the world.
“Before joining, I struggled with anxiety and the idea of speaking in front of people,” Beemon said. “But through their support, I’ve learned to use my voice – not just for myself, but for those who feel unheard.”
As Youth of the Year, Beemon wants to raise awareness of poverty and food insecurity, and she hopes to help ensure a future where families are not forced to make impossible choices at the grocery store. She also wants to encourage youths to speak out and be heard, especially those with learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. According to Beemon, she draws inspiration from her mother, Nicole Reynolds, who taught her the importance of love, strength, and resilience.
“I congratulate a member of my district, Saria Beemon, for being named Youth of the Year!” State Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) said. “Her speech was inspiring and as a judge for the
competition, I applaud her as the distinguished recipient. I wish her the best of luck in all that she takes on; her grit and perseverance are an inspiration. I have faith she will continue to do great things for our community and change many lives.”
Her fellow nominees, Nehemiah Deberry, 14, of Saginaw; Makayla Mims, 15, of Saginaw; and Eli Kuehnemund, 18, of Pinconning also made their families and Clubs proud, according to Program Director Sam Oliver.
“I believe that each of our candidates were ultimately happy with the speeches and interviews they gave,” Oliver said. “They were true to themselves, and any one of them could have represented us well in Lansing.”
Deberry, a member of the Saginaw Stone Club, expressed how the after-school program has been a constant in his life. Through the organization’s Club Kid Convos podcasting program, he found his calling to one day become a journalist. Mims, also a member of the Stone Club, took a stand against gun violence, sharing her wish to create a support group for teens who have lost family members in Saginaw. Kuehnemund, a member at the Pinconning Boys & Girls Club, delivered remarks that stressed the importance of family and community in an ever-changing world.
“Family is a cornerstone, and being there for them when times are hard is important, just like the Club is a cornerstone in our community,” Kuehnemund said.
Those interested in learning more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region and its programs should call the administrative office at 989-321-9648 or visit boysandgirlsclubsglbr.com.
