Boys & Girls Club of Elgin names 'Youth of the Year'

Seventeen-year-old Nya Colvin of Streamwood was named "Youth of the Year" by the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, an award that goes to club members who show leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to a healthy lifestyle.

Nya, a junior at Streamwood High School, will serve as an ambassador for the club and will receive a four-year scholarship from Judson University in Elgin. Nya said she was overjoyed at the news of the scholarship Thursday, when the club announced the award. She plans to study psychology to help people, she said. "I struggle with anxiety so I understand that perspective."

She joined the club at the encouragement of friends who attended and has enjoyed every day there, she said.

"It's the environment. No matter what kind of day I have, I know if I go to the club, there's always going to be somebody who is there for me," she said. "Everybody is so happy and everybody gets along."

This is the third year Judson University has offered a scholarship to the club's "Youth of the Year."

"We are providing a unique opportunity for her to fulfill her academic dreams at the same time we are fulfilling our mission to shape lives that shape the world," Judson President Gene Crume said in a statement.

Normally, the winner would compete in the statewide Boys and Girls Club "Youth of the Year" contest, but Nya is ineligible because she has been a club member for less than the required two years.

Thirteen-year-old Abigail "Abby" Dunn, of Elgin, an eighth-grader at Abbott Middle School, won the Elgin club's middle school "Youth of the Year" title, also announced Thursday.

Abby has been attending the club for almost two years.

"I love the Boys & Girls Club because it gives all kids the space and the chance to be who they are and gives them the space and chance to be great," she said. "It's a place to be educated and to have fun, and to just learn new things and help the community."

The other nominees for the "Youth of the Year" awards were: Jesus Torres and Isaac Gilman of Elgin High School; Desiree Morgan of Streamwood High School; Cristian Cruz of Larkin High School; Saraid Aguilera of Kimball Middle School; Amori Israel of Canton Middle School; David Taveras of Tefft Middle School; Leonor Nevarez of Ellis Middle School; and Jayla Flournoy of Larsen Middle School.