Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Mai Tong Chosen as 2012 Midwest Region Youth of the Year

After a great couple of days in Chicago, the 2012 Midwest Region Youth of the Year was announced at the World of Whirlpool last night. With great anticipation, emcee Micah Materre, anchor of the WGN-TV News at 9, and BGCA Chair-elect Ron Gidwitz introduced us to the 12 amazing finalists before Governor Jeff Fettig announced Mai Tong Yang from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN as our winner.

Thanks to our good friends at Whirlpool Corporation and the Maytag Brand, guests were able to meet our inspiring YOY candidates while sampling Midwestern specialties representative of each of their native states.

While in Chicago, the twelve Youth of the Year were treated to an etiquette dinner hosted by Ernst & Young where they were able to spend meaningful time with E&Y partners thanks to trustee, Jim Logothetis and ended their evening with a fun-filled experience at Blue Man Group.

Thanks to our 7 judges, including Governor Greg Cappelli and Trustees Martin Waters and Matt Davis along with representatives from Tupperware Brands, Amway Corporation, Ernst & Young and Astra Zeneca, who had the tough job of selecting Mai Tong out of the 12 outstanding individuals competing.

The middle child in a family of 11, Mai Tong came to the United States as a refugee. Amid the new surroundings, the different lifestyle and the upheaval of the long journey, Mai Tong sometimes felt lost. All that changed when she entered the door of the Boys & Girls Club and found a place that she could call her own. Mai Tong immediately connected with Club staff members who helped her with homework and took the time to introduce her to American culture.

Over the years, Mai Tong has taken a lead role in helping others feel at home. She is a strong mentor to younger Club members. Mai Tong also assists with the Power Hour homework help program and is currently president of Keystone Club. She serves as junior staff member through the Club’s affiliation with the Minnesota State Youth Job Corp program. This position allows her to help out with her family’s expenses.

Mai Tong spent her junior year of high school in South Korea learning about the culture and language. While there, she became an unofficial student ambassador, sharing details about her life in America, her Hmong culture, and even the Minnesota winters. This intercultural experience should prove valuable later in life, as her career goal is to serve as a diplomat. Currently, she is a student at Harding High School in St. Paul, taking challenging International Baccalaureate courses and maintaining a 3.61 GPA. After graduation, she plans to attend the College of St. Benedict and major in International Relations.

 

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