FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2021
Contact: Jamie Holmes
jholmes@bgcportland.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro Select TreNisha Shearer 2021 Youth of the Year

De LaSalle North Catholic HS will represent Portland-Metro for Oregon Youth of the Year

TreNisha Shearer, a senior at De LaSalle North Catholic HS and 13-year member of the Regence Boys & Girls Club in the New Columbia Neighborhood, was selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro’s 2021 Youth of the Year on Friday, January 29, 2021.

The selection process began thru a Zoom meeting where a panel of judges representing Moda Health, Intel, Logical Position, ZOOM+Care and Mondelez International heard speeches from each of the seven Metro Area Youth of the Year candidates, conducted one-on-one interviews, and then announced the winner on KPTV Friday morning on More Good Day Oregon.

“I have witnessed the connection that can be formed between Club members and staff. Seeing these connections and knowing how big of an impact the Club has on people such as myself,” said Shearer “is why I am motivated to give back to my community now and in the future.”

TreNisha and her family have been a staple of the Regence Boys & Girls Club community. Over TreNisha’s time at the Club she has traveled to Atlanta, GA for a weeklong leadership program called Keystone Club, participated in our YouthForce internship opportunity in partnership with Portland Timbers and created a short film, Black ‘Till It’s Backwards, through The Representation Project’s Virtual Youth Media Academy that will be premiering this spring.

Along with the title, TreNisha received a $1,000 scholarship and will continue on to represent the Portland Metro Clubs at the Oregon State Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year competition in April. She plans to attend Georgia State University and study Business Management.

Throughout the year, Portland-Area Clubs select a Youth of the Month. From the Youth of the Month candidates, a young person is chosen to represent their local Club as Youth of the Year. TreNisha competed with six other outstanding Club members representing Club communities from around the Portland Metro Area. Other finalists included Alexa R. (Youthforce Program & Wattles Club in Lents Neighborhood), Sierra D. (Blazers Club), LaMarkus C. (Rockwood Club in Gresham) Adrian S. (YouthForce Program), Bethany B. (YouthForce Program) Max R. (Wattles Club in Lents Neighborhood). All six runners-up received a $500 college scholarship.

ABOUT YOUTH OF THE YEAR: Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program for Club members, which promotes service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PORTLAND METRO Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro plays a vital role in our community, serving youth for 75 years. BGCP empowers more than 6,400 youth each year to discover their full potential through impactful after-school and summer programs. Clubs are designed to support kids and teens as they develop the qualities they need to achieve academic success, become responsible leaders, and live healthy lives. Today, the Clubs operate nine facilities located throughout the metropolitan area, including school-based sites in North Clackamas School Districts.
Visit www.https://bgcportland.org.