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.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands would like to congratulate current Nebraska Cornhuskers and Club alumni, Niles Paul, DJ Jones, and Jeremy Wallace for working hard and helping their team reach tonight’s Big 12 Championship game in Dallas, TX.

From the Jaguar playing field at the North Unit to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, these young men are a shining example of how hard work, dedication and a Boys & Girls Club can help youth reach their goals. To Niles, DJ, Jeremy and the rest of the Cornhuskers and Cornhusker fans all across the country – GO BIG RED!

Below is a list of other former Husker players (1997 to present) who got their at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands.

• Titus Adams – DT (2002-2005)
• Ahman Green – IB (1995-1997)
• Tierre Green – IB (2004-2007)
• Courtney Grixby – DB (2004-2007)
• DeAntae Grixby – RB (1999-2003)
• David Horne – IB (2002-2003)
• Vershan Jackson – TE (1994-1997)
• Mark Leflore – WR (2002-2005)
• Lornell McPherson – CB (2001-2004)
• Randy Stella – LB (1998-2001)
• Brandon Teamer – DT (2003)
• Wilson Thomas – WR (1999-2002)