(Fargo, ND) -- Kaija Holloway has been named the North Dakota Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The BGCA Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 74th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures.
As the 2021 North Dakota Youth of the Year, Kaija will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state, receive a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and will go on to contend for the regional Youth of the Year in June and ultimately the national title.
As President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley Keystone Club, Kaija is responsible for planning interest-based activities and community service opportunities for our Club teens. With a focus on making a positive impact in our community, Kaija’s leadership guided the Club to organize a winter clothing and food drive benefitting non-profit the New Life Center. Kaija aspires to be a self-employed entrepreneur like her mother, who owns and operates several local businesses. Her post-graduation goal is to pursue a career in interior design.
“We are incredibly proud of Kaija and all the Youth of the Year nominees,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO ofBoys & Girls Clubs of America. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the North Dakota Youth of the Year, Kaija will serve as a spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs kids across the state who need more role models that they can admire and emulate.”
This summer, Kaija will join other state winners to vie for the Midwest Region regional title. If named the regional winner, she will be awarded an additional $20,000 college scholarship. Six finalists will advance to the virtual National Youth of the Year event in October 2021, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $50,000 and a brand-new Toyota Corolla.