Youth of the Year

The National Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life.  Competition begins with each Club selecting a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion then enters the state competition.  State winners receive a plaque and $1,000 scholarship then enter the regional competition. Each of the five regional winners receives a $10,000 scholarship and enters the national competition held in Washington, DC.  The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship, totaling $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States.

2011 North Texas

Youth of the Year

Valencia Campbell

Valencia Campbell was born December 26, 1992 in Dallas, TX, to Linda and Valentine Campbell.  Her family moved to Mesquite when she was 2 years old.  Valencia attended Metropolitan Christian School and Marry Moss Elementary as a young child and excelled in her education at an early age. Valencia’s parents worked hard in order to make sure that her life was comfortable.  Sadly, when she was 12 years old, her father died of a massive heart attack caused by congestive heart failure.  This instantly made Valencia’s mom a single mother and she continues to work hard in order to keep up what her husband started.

Valencia is now a senior at Mesquite High School.  She is currently ranked 54 of the 557 students and has a 3.86 GPA.  Valencia currently takes AP and Honors classes, and she enjoys the challenges that the classes provide her.  As a student at Mesquite High School, Valencia is a great representative who strives to better herself and be a better student.  She has made the Honor Roll every semester while in high school and has participated in various extracurricular activities and volunteer events.

Valencia joined the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club in October of 2009, and she enjoys serving her community. She participates in Collegiate STEPS, Dallas Elevators and Money Matters and is also the President of the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club.  Valencia has organized tutoring sessions for the Keystone members, and she has helped in the recruiting of more teens to her Club.  Valencia is an active member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, My Future Council, National Beta Club, Business Professionals of America and Senior Leaders.

As a member of the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club, Valencia has had more opportunities to give back to her community.  Her community service projects have included handing out meals to the less fortunate during the holidays, "Trash Bash” in which she picked up trash in 3 different cities, and helping out at the Balch Springs Library.  Valencia plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin or Spelman College and major in Political Science or Social Work.  After her college graduation, she plans to pursue a law degree and one day practice family law. When asked why she chose to practice family law, Valencia said she wants to be an asset to her community by helping the families that need change in order to better themselves.