Teen awarded Hanscom AFB Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Green-Lanchoney
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
Selected among several local outstanding youth, Jordan Bowen will compete against other Boys and Girls Club members for the title of Massachusetts Military Youth of the Year and a $1,000 college scholarship.

As the new Military Youth of the Year for Hanscom AFB, 16-year-old Jordan, daughter of Christopher, an Air Force veteran, and Tina, Hanscom school Age program director, has been recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

"Jordan is the first to volunteer to be at Youth Program sponsored events and is willing to lend a hand anywhere there is a need," said Ann-Marie Ely, the Hanscom Youth Center Youth Sports and Fitness director. "She is also an excellent role model for other military youth, having grown up dealing with many of the hardships that her younger peers are currently going through."

Jordan has been involved in many extracurricular activities including yearbook, working as manager of the "G" squad (the school step team) and is a member of the Principal's Advisory Council. She also takes time to tutor other students after school at the base Youth Center.

"I don't know how to explain it, it is kind of weird because I am not good at accepting things, it makes me feel like 'awe you want to be in this with me and you are proud of me,'" she said on winning the award.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys and 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 and 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. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys and Girls Clubs.

"Jordan has been involved with the BCGA since we lived in Hawaii in 2008. She gives of her time on all different community projects with the BGCA and Air Force projects whether it is the Haunted House exploration, Easter hunts, Pasta Night, Teen Council, tutoring at Youth Center, babysitting, specialty camps, etc. Jordan has made her father and mother exceptionally happy and proud," Tina said. "We love her tender heart, her kindness, her truthfulness, her loyalty, her awesome attitude, her silly humor, and especially her just staying true to herself no matter what."

Jordan aspires to attend Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania because of its excellent physical therapy program as well as its close proximity to her favorite team, The Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp.

She currently carries a rigorous academic load including Latin I and Spanish III, and will fine tune her course load during her senior year to include classes that will prepare her for her future in physical therapy.

If Jordan wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2014, to compete for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.