La’Ron Williams has been named the 2024 Lawrence Youth of the Year.
La’Ron, a Free State High School senior and Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence member, was selected for the honor Thursday evening during an annual community celebration.
During his candidate speech, La’Ron, 17, said farewell to his youth, to his innocence and to BGC. Accepting that he’s growing up hasn’t been so difficult as new doors are opening, he said.
“I have molded bit by bit into someone that I can embrace, truly thanks to my club,” La’Ron said.
La’Ron was a candidate in last year’s Youth of the Year competition, and now as this year’s winner, he dedicated his personal development to family members and mentors who pushed him to greatness. Gratitude to others was evident in his speech.
“I am here because of you,” La’Ron said. “I am tenacious because of you. And I am La’Ron because of you. I’m a new me — a beginning after end.”
As a member of BGC’s Center for Great Futures for four years, La’Ron has been a leader in several activities, such as the Ball 4 All basketball league and Keystone Club. He also worked for the club’s sports and recreation department over last summer.
With plans to major in journalism at the University of Kansas, La’Ron aspires to become a writer or public speaker.
Abby Benally and Alex Johnson, the other two candidates, were also honored Thursday for their contributions to BGC, their schools and the Lawrence community at large. Both gave speeches about the impact BGC has made on their lives, as well.
The Youth of the Year judges panel, which included Lawrence community members Kelly Leipold, Derek Stucker, Demetrius Kemp, Jena Dick and Julie Dean, selected La’Ron as the winner after hearing all three speeches. Judges spent the prior week interviewing each candidate and scoring their written essays and short answer questions.
In addition to the Youth of the Year program, third through eighth grade BGC members participate in a Junior Youth of the Year program. This year’s winner, Ja’Corey Taylor, was announced on Jan. 12 and gave a speech Thursday evening.
Ja’Corey, a fifth grader at New York Elementary School and CGF member, said he enjoys arts and crafts and summer flag football the most at BGC. He also values the way BGC staff and mentors care about him.
Inspired by his older brother, La’Ron – the Youth of the Year winner — Ja’Corey took on this year’s competition. He also paid homage to his mother and father and his two dogs.
“When I need help, my brother is always there for me when I need him,” Ja’Corey said during his speech. “That’s why I look up to him the most. He’s in Youth of the Year, so that’s why I wanted to do Junior Youth of the Year.”
La’Ron will now go on to represent Lawrence in the Kansas state competition and hope to then advance to the regional competition and have a shot at nationals.
Abby, a Free State freshman, dedicated her speech Thursday to her father, who’s a war veteran.
Abby recalled feeling isolated as a kid. Over the five years she’s been a part of BGC, she said she’s learned to navigate her anxiety and apprehension, becoming a more confident version of herself. She’s now interested in advocating for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“[BGC] gave me a space where I didn’t always have to be that Abby that’s constantly worried about her dad’s well-being; I could get the chance to be the Abby that just wanted to have fun,” she said. “Thank you Boys & Girls Club for helping me gain confidence, friendships and lose that stupid fear of rejection.”
As a member of the CGF, Abby is dedicated to Keystone Club, focusing on community service. She’s in marching band, theater and Pre-Med Club at Free State, and she plays clarinet in the Lawrence Youth Symphony and the John Philip Sousa Junior Honor Band. After high school, she’d like to attend KU or Baker University to pursue nursing.
Alex, a sophomore at Free State who transferred from Lawrence High School this semester, said his personal goal is to uplift others through genuine conversations. Being a part of BGC for four years so far has helped him do that, first by finding himself.
“The Boys & Girls Club helped me see how valuable my words are,” Alex said. “Club staff has opened my eyes to make me see who I am, and how I can have an impact just by being myself at the club. I’ve learned to have a voice and that my voice can make a difference, not just at school, but in Lawrence, too.”
During his speech, Alex challenged his peers to seek connections deeper than those found through technology. Addiction to phones has separated people more and more from communicating in-person, he said he’s learned.
“We are all different, and there’s no shame in that,” Alex said. “I hope that my story inspires people to make a change in how we communicate.”
As a member of CGF, Alex is heavily involved in PRIDE Club, where he’s been able to showcase his art skills, and when he has free time, he enjoys playing volleyball. At Free State, he’s in choir and theater. Alex is interested in attending KU or the University of Oklahoma after high school, with aspirations to become a meteorologist.
Elementary school students gave special dance performances from BGC’s annual “Lights On!” competition as part of Thursday evening’s entertainment. Dance teams from Quail Run, first place; Deerfield, second place; and Sunset Hill, third place, each took the stage to perform to music by Beyoncé, Whitney Houston and Prince, respectively.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Molly Adams (she/her), photojournalist and news operations coordinator for The Lawrence Times, can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com. Check out more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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