TO COMMEND THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THEIR EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS IN HELPING SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH PREPARE FOR A PRODUCTIVE LIFE AND TO RECOGNIZE THE NINE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHO HAVE BEEN NAMED 2018 YOUTH OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ALLIANCE OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS.

Whereas, in every community, some boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know someone cares about them; and

Whereas, by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence, Boys & Girls Clubs offer that vital caring and more through programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls; and

Whereas, the Boys & Girls Clubs in South Carolina provide programs in character and leadership development, health and life skills, education and career development, sports and recreation, and the arts; and

Whereas, truly the "Positive Place for Kids," Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place to learn and grow while having fun; and

Whereas, eighty-six Boys & Girls Club sites in forty-three cities of the Palmetto State serve more than fifty thousand youth each year; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to learn that nine young people from different Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Palmetto State have been named 2018 South Carolina Youth of the Year for their respective clubs. These youth and their clubs are as follows: Aaron Gandy, Jr., of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area; Destiny Graham of Joint Base Charleston Youth Program; JaCarious Coleman of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate; Jaelen Bussey of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands; Keiona Marshall of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry; Kenzie Ann MacQueen of Shaw Air Force Base Youth Program; Reem Zyati of Boys and Girls Clubs of York County; Winnie Tataw of USAG Fort Jackson CYS Services; Zaria Brook Brown of Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand; and

Whereas, cognizant that South Carolina's Boys & Girls Clubs are a sound and prosperous investment in the youth of our State, the South Carolina General Assembly takes great pleasure in recognizing and honoring these nine outstanding young people for their accomplishments and in commending and thanking the club staff and volunteers for their critical roles in shaping the lives of these youth. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, commend the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Carolina for their extraordinary efforts in helping South Carolina's youth prepare for a productive life and recognize the nine young people from different Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the State who have been named 2018 Youth of the Year by the South Carolina Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to each of the nine young people named 2018 Youth of the Year.