A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Akwesasne, NY, April 4 2008 – Karakwino Tina M. Square is a true example of an extraordinary young woman. At age 16, she has just been selected to compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the New York State Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. As the Youth of the Year for Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club, Square is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of Reader’s Digest.
Tina attends Salmon River Central School and has been a club member for the past four years. She has modeled what all club staff hopes that all the teens would strive to become, a positive role model for all club members and a leader. Tina has volunteered at the club on her school breaks doing art projects, she has organized a singing group at the club with a lot of participants attending. She is also a big part of our Akwesasne Community by being a part of the women’s singing society and helping the community out when a call is made. She has just won the title of ‘Incredible Kids’ of Akwesasne, where her mother wrote a loving letter about how special Tina is to her family and Boys & Girls Club. Tina has three siblings at home and role models good behavior at home with them. She is the daughter of Lori and Theodore Square.
“The Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club supports Tina and she supports the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club. She has grown so much in the time that she has become a club member and we can only look forward to seeing what she is going to accomplish in life. We hope that we had a part of her success!” said Carolyn Francis, ABGC Program Director.
If Square wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2008 to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
About Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club
The Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club is a not-for-profit after school program located on Rooseveltown Road in Akwesasne. The club is open for ages 6 and up and is opened after school at 3:00pm until 8:00pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 518-358-9911.
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