Over 500 people “hit the beach” at On the Road benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands (BGCM) on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Stinson Park at Aksarben Village. The event was sponsored by Battle Sports Science.

Honorary chairs, Howard Kooper and Tom Fellman along with chairs, Kirk and Sue Swartzbaugh commented, “the energy surrounding the event really shows the support the community has for the youth served by the Boys & Girls Clubs.”

BGCM President and event emcee, Ivan Gilreath, dedicated the event to long-time Club supporter Phil Schrager. Terri, Rick and Harley Schrager joined Ivan on stage to accept a memorial plaque and to say a few words about Phil’s legacy and the impact he had on underprivileged youth in Omaha.

Chancellor Smith, the 2010 Nebraska Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year and a beneficiary of a Phillip and Terri Schrager Foundation Scholarship, spoke at the event. “Chancellor showed us all why the Clubs are so important. He shared his story and got the crowd excited about the work the Clubs do every day,” said Kirk Swartzbaugh.

The event itself brought in $240,000 to support the Club’s five core program areas:  character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.

A very special thanks to all of the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and staff that made On the Road possible.

For event photos go to http://www.bgcomaha.org/gallery/?album=1&gallery=45

On Thursday, March 11^th, Chancellor Smith was named Nebraska Youth of the Year before a group of Club dignitaries, state senators, Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, friends and family. Cameron Crockrom, a member of the Offutt AFB Boys & Girls Club, received runner-up honors.

For Chancellor, Cameron and Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands YOY finalists, Jerry Geho and Brad Herring, it was a whirlwind day. At 9:00 am the candidates gave their speeches in front of a panel of judges. While the judges deliberated, Chancellor, Cameron, Jerry and Brad joined members of the Lincoln, Grand Island and Winnebago Clubs at the Nebraska State Capital to be applauded by members of the Unicam.

Following their time observing Nebraska senators debate current issues, the candidates walked across the street to the Governor’s Mansion for a luncheon in their honor. After Chancellor and Cameron were given the opportunity to speak directly to the group in attendance, Lt. Governor Sheehy stepped to the front of the room and announced Chancellor as the State’s winner.

Chancellor’s next stop is the Regional Youth of the Year Competition in Chicago this July. There he will compete against other state winners from across the Midwest Region for a $10,000 college scholarship and a chance to compete  for the national honor in Washington, DC.

Click here for more event photos.

Chancellor Smith, an 8 year member of the North Unit, has been named Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Youth of the Year.

On Saturday, January 16, Chancellor “Chance” and representatives from the various other Club locations gathered at the Woodmen Tower in downtown Omaha to share their powerful stories of struggle, perseverance and triumph. Each candidate passionately described the part Boys & Girls Clubs have played in shaping them into the positive young adults they have become.

The winner, Chancellor Smith, is very deserving of the title. As a senior at Omaha North High School, Chance is the 2010 class president, captain of the varsity football team and has been recognized as an academic honor student. He is also a journalist for the student newspaper, the North Star.

In the Club, Chance is known for his volunteer work and for the positive example he sets for both his peers and the Club’s younger members. He hopes to be able to develop his passion for helping others by pursuing a Psychology degree and one day becoming therapist – a profession he believes will allow him to give back to others in need.

Upon receiving the award, Chancellor took a moment to thank his family and various Club staff for their roles in helping him achieve the honor. Now, with the full support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Chancellor’s next stop will be the Nebraska State Youth of the Year competition, where he will compete with other youth from across the state. Good luck Chance!

Click here to watch WOWT’s coverage of the 2010 Youth of Year event.

Below are videos of Chancellor and the rest of the Youth of the Year candidates giving their speeches.

The National Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Competition begins with each Club selecting a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion, and then represents their Club at the State level competition. Below are the candidates selected to represent each of the six Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands locations, in the upcoming Youth of the Year competition on January 16, 2010.

Event Press Release

Alexander
Council Bluffs Unit
1 Year Member
Abraham Lincoln High School
12^th Grade

This Club has helped Alex realize there are numerous opportunities to help those in need.  The Club has given him an opportunity to give back to his fellow Club members and is helping them to reach their full potential. By assisting with various service projects, Alex has learned to put others ahead of himself – a trait that shows a lot about his character, morals and values.

Chancellor
North Omaha Unit
8 Year Member
Omaha North High School
12^th Grade

Chancellor is a dedicated, long-time member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ North Unit. Over the years Chancellor has participated in numerous Club programs and events. He is a reliable model of ethical behavior and constantly proves to be a positive role model for people of all ages.  Chancellor has the potential to do great things in life if he is able to stay focused on his goals and dreams.

Ryan
Westside Unit
5 Year Member
Westside High School
11^th Grade

Ryan McVay has been a pillar of the Westside Club community, and a consistent positive role model to members, both young and old. Ryan has been an influential member in the Club by engaging in service and community projects through our Keystone Club, as well as by volunteering his own time. He has been instrumental with our Keystone Club as a former president and member. Ryan has also been involved with our Street SMART program, Road Code program and two-time participant of our Stock Market Challenge, and a part of the championship team from the inaugural Challenge. Ryan has been an extremely well liked and well-behaved member who is much deserving of the Youth of the Year recognition.

Tiffany
Mount View Unit
1 Year Member
Benson High School
11^th Grade

During her time at the Club, Tiffany has always been willing to participate in different programs and Club events. Unfortunately she was forced to discontinue her membership after her family made the decision to leave the Omaha area. The Clubs would like to wish Tiffany the best.

Jerry
South Unit
9 Year Member
Omaha South High School
12^th Grade

Jerry is a long-time member of the South Omaha Boys & Girls Clubs, and he attends nearly every day. As a member of the Keystone Club, Jerry volunteers his time to various service projects, both inside the Club and in his South Omaha community. He has also spent time assisting in the Younger Members’ Games room, the Education Center, and the Teen Center. After graduating from high school, Jerry plans to attend college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he hopes to major in the theater arts. Jerry is a good role model for the rest of the Club because he has persevered through great struggles to emerge a positive role model, not only for his close friends, but for the Club population in general.