On Wednesday, March 9^th, DaSean Anderson was named Nebraska Youth of the Year before a group of Club dignitaries, state senators, friends and family at a ceremony in Lincoln. Cameron Crockrom, a member of the Offutt AFB Boys & Girls Club, received runner-up honors.

DaSean and Cameron gave their speeches in front of a panel of judges. While the judges deliberated, the two joined members of the Lincoln, Grand Island and Winnebago Clubs at the Nebraska State Capitol to be applauded by members of the Unicam.

Following their time observing Nebraska senators debate current issues, the candidates returned to the Cornhusker Marriott for a luncheon in their honor, where Chancellor Smith (pictured), the 2010 BGCM and NE Youth of the Year served as emcee. After DaSean and Cameron were given the opportunity to speak directly to the group in attendance, Chancellor stepped to the front of the room and announced DaSean the State’s winner.

click here for photos

DaSean’s next stop is the Regional Youth of the Year Competition in Chicago this July. There she 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.

Ivan Gilreath is the CEO/President of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. In his first public message, Ivan discusses his history with the Clubs in Omaha, the need to return to full Club capacity, and the need for community support.

The CEO Video Address is a monthly feature of the BGCM Blog, giving CEO Ivan Gilreath the opportunity to share Club news updates with the Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs communities.

click here for a link to the Omaha World-Herald article referenced in the video