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GREAT FUTURES START HERE: EXCEPTIONAL TEEN NAMED MINNESOTA YOUTH OF THE YEAR BY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
Sabat Omer set to receive college scholarship as the 2011 Minnesota State youth of the Year
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, May 4, 2011 – Selected among 10 outstanding youth, Sabat Omer has been named the Minnesota Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community. As the new Minnesota Youth of the Year, she will receive a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. Sabat also was awarded a Home Team Scholarship presented by FOX Sports North in conjunction with the professional sports teams of the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Minnesota Vikings organizations. A true example of an extraordinary young leader, eighteen year old Sabat will now vie for BGCA’s Midwest Region Youth of the Year title and an additional college scholarship.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles, and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
Sabat was born in 1993 in a war-torn country in Africa. At five years old, her disabled mother and seven children fled Ethiopia, leaving Sabat’s father behind. To this day, his whereabouts or if he is still alive is unknown. Sabat understands the importance of family and takes every opportunity to support her mother and deaf-sister who both struggle to understand spoken English. Sabat has emerged over the years as a leader among Club members. Her weekly volunteer service time at the Mt. Airy Club is built on a foundation of dedication to the youth in the community. She is genuine in her motivation to help support others and be a positive role model for the younger members in the Club. Her membership at the club is extremely important to her, being one of the few places in her life that is uniquely her own, she refuses to let peer pressure jeopardize her position as role model at the club.
Sabat grew up in Mt Airy Public Housing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Having been a member of the Mt Airy community for a significant part of her life, she has had many opportunities to participate and lead community organized service projects. From annual holiday celebrations, to neighborhood cleanup projects, Sabat has taken on a leadership role with a goal of bringing her community together. Sabat recently lead a group as part of the Great River Greening. She displayed incredible leadership in helping fellow community members learn and understand environmental concepts by translating for many of the non-English speaking participants.
Sabat is just beginning her journey as a young adult. After graduation in June 2011 from Harding High School (St. Paul, MN), she plans to attend Mankato State University and major in Nursing. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities overarching goal is to help each youth reach his full potential through life-enhancing programs and positive relationships with caring adults. The Boys & Girls Club is a place where great futures are started each and every day. By building a strong foundation, the Club prepares the next generation for success.
“Sabat Omer and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people to Be GREAT,” said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO, BGCA. “We are most appreciative to Tupperware Brands for their long-time support of Boys & Girls Clubs and providing scholarships to help our members attain their goals.”