HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Ytrenda Gulley, a member of Hanscom's Youth Program, recently earned Hanscom Youth of the Year honors and will soon attend the Air Force Youth of the Year forum Aug. 1 through 5 in Washington, D.C.

As the Youth of the Year for Hanscom, Ms. Gulley is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community, according to Scott Craver, Youth Programs chief.

Ms. Gulley decided to apply for Youth of the Year after Youth Center staff approached her about it.

"I was really excited about it," she said. "I thought it looked like a lot of fun."

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA's premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.

"Ytrenda is an exceptional young lady who represents our base well," said Elmer Kruppenbach, Youth Programs teen programs director, who compiled the nomination package for her after Youth Center staff voted on all the Hanscom candidates. "We're very proud of her accomplishments."

Ms. Gulley boasts a wide variety of community activities and service that helped her earn this honor. She volunteers with the Youth Center, Base Chapel and 66th Medical Squadron. In addition, she sings in a church choir, participates in a teen group and attends Bible studies. She has volunteered to pick up trash around the base and helped with the community garden.

As part of the Youth Center, she is vice president of the Teen Council, a group dedicated to being a voice of the teen community on base and throughout the Air Force. She also participates in Girl Scouts.

Ms. Gulley attended ninth grade at Bedford High School last academic year, where she excelled in the classroom and participated on the step team, ran track, played basketball and was a member of the music program. Later this summer, her family will be moving to Florida where her parents will be stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

After finishing high school, she plans on attending the University of Florida to study chemistry.

"I have really enjoyed the whole Youth of the Year process," said Ms. Gulley. "The judges were really nice and I have made some friends along the way."

The Youth Center is always looking for other youths of high merit who are outstanding members in their school and throughout the community to nominate as Youth of the Year. For further information, call the Youth Center at 781-377-3739.