Timothy J. Hoag is a true example of an extraordinary youngman. At age 17 he has been selected to compete at the state level with other Boys & Girls Club members for the Michigan Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. As the Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, Hoag is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

During the state competition, Hoag along with other Michigan Youth of the Year finalists will participate in the “Recipe for Success” workshop sponsored by Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation. This highly interactive, two-hour workshop focuses on inspiring and supporting underserved youth to achieve postsecondary education by opening their eyes to the possibilities that the future holds for them. It will assist the participants in exploring potential career paths and areas of study; give them tools and resources for academic planning; and help them to develop financial management skills and research tips for scholarship funding sources.

The workshop includes content from three of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s top national programs – CareerLaunch, Goals for Graduation and Money Matters. Upon completion of the workshop, the participants who take the necessary steps to pursue a postsecondary education will be eligible for a college scholarship from Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation.

             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.

Timothy is a senior at the Alpena High School who plans to attend Alpena Community College next year to study computer technology.  He has volunteered over 350 hours of service to the Alpena community since he joined the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena-Youth Volunteer Corps in 2007.  Timothy is also part of the AHS National Honor Society maintaining an exemplary GPA and almost flawless attendance.  He is an avid volunteer with the Alpena area Relay for Life events and is involved in his youth groups and church functions.  Timothy has overcome some difficulties in life that have motivated him to be the great young man he is today.  5 years ago Timothy had to deal with the passing of his father at a young age.  Timothy also has had to conquer learning disabilities that would hinder most youth his age.  Timothy has not let any of this hold him back and instead uses them as motivators to achieve in life and have shaped him into the person he is today.

“It has been a pleasure working with this motivated and impressive young man in preparation for the state competition.  T.J. has put a lot of time and effort into the preparation and is never late for any meeting. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in the state competition and in life,” said Bradley Somers, Youth Volunteer Corps Director, Boys & Girls Club of Alpena.