Provo, Utah, February 4, 2019-Jordan Hunter has been selected as the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County. The Youth of the Year title is bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 72nd year, the Youth of the Year program honors young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed, and inspire. Jordan will contend for the Utah Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Jordan is a senior at the Walden School in Provo, Utah. He has helped shape many of the most successful Boys & Girls clubs at Walden. Jordan is co-president of the Environmental Club, a key member of the Dungeons & Dragons Club, and founder of The Study of the Mystic Club. Jordan is passionate about wildlife conservation and preserving our environment at both local and global levels. Jordan is an advocate for destigmatizing conversations about mental health and mental illness and is a role model for his community around better mental health practices. Jordan is a student in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Walden and has been accepted at Utah State University where he plans to major in Environmental Studies. About his dream job, he is able to answer without hesitation, “Conservation officer with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources!”

If Jordan wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years. The regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. in September 2019, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable for four years. The Youth of the Year program is presented by The Walt Disney Company, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota is the Signature Sponsor of the national Youth of the Year program. For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit youthoftheyear.org.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens and leaders. Programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The Club accepts donations and volunteers on a year-round basis. Learn more at bgcutah.org.