Teen named ‘youth of the year’

CEDAR RAPIDS - The local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club once again is the home of the organization's State Youth of the Year.

Mykala McGraw, 17, a senior at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School, received the honor last month after a competition in Des Moines against five others from across the state.

McGraw said she has been involved in the club since 'two days before the flood in 2008.” She got involved because her stepmother's children attended.

'It has helped me know how to set goals for myself, be more organized with life and helped me juggle everything,” McGraw said of her involvement.

McGraw is a leader in the organization, helping run a variety of programs. She also said she hangs out with the kids and helps out with homework.

'Everybody and anybody” is welcome at the Boys and Girls Club, McGraw said.

'It's a safe place if you don't want kids out wandering after school. It's a good place to focus on homework and other positive people helping you,” she said.

When it comes to the State Youth of the Year competition, 'Cedar Rapids has a pretty good history,” said Sarah Hoeger, director of annual giving for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cedar Rapids.

Most recently, Natalie Barnes was Youth of the Year in 2014 and Jeffrey Chambers held the title in 2012 and 2013.

Stacey Walker was State Youth of the Year in 2006, and ultimately was named National Youth of the Year.

McGraw said she knows Chambers, and initially was nervous to enter the competition.

'Jenny Emerson, the unit director talked me into it. She basically encouraged me,” McGraw said.

McGraw took part in a local competition before moving on to the state competition, where she had to be interviewed and deliver a speech.

Up next for McGraw is a regional competition in July in Chicago. The process will mirror the statewide competition, but McGraw said she will have the ability to tweak her speech.

If she wins the Chicago competition, McGraw will move on to compete for the national title in Washington.

'Every kid who comes here has a story,” McGraw said of the club. 'We're welcome to tell them but no one ever asks. The Boys and Girls Club's a library of stories.”