The motto of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America reveals in four simple words — Great Futures Start Here — the foundation built in an environment that empowers young adolescents to reach their full potential while becoming responsible, caring and productive citizens of the world.
Each year, since 1947, one extraordinary individual, between the ages of 14-18, from a Boys and Girls Club in the United States rises to the title of National Youth of the Year. This individual becomes an exemplary ambassador who speaks as the voice of Club youth everywhere and stands up to represent all of America’s young people.
Child and Youth Services across all military installations receive support from the BGCA, so West Point uses BGCA’s programs and guidance to provide high-yielding experiences and opportunities for youth at its centers, said Angela Riley, the West Point Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Child and Youth Services’ Middle School and Teen Center director.
To participate in the Youth of the Year Program, Riley said, “Teens 14 and older have to be registered at the Youth Center and be actively involved at the center for at least two years to apply. The Youth of the Year Program really looks for someone who is embedded in its club and has used the experiences and opportunities provided to make a difference in their community.”
This year, Hudson Mayer earned the honor of the West Point Youth of the Year and the West Point Youth Center’s representative for the BGCA’s Youth of the Year competition at the state/military level. Riley said Mayer has been an active member of the Youth Center for five years and has participated in events and program offerings such as resiliency workshops, youth sponsor training and lyricism, to name a few.
“Hudson has demonstrated a caring, kind, leadership style within these programs that made him a perfect fit to be West Point’s Youth of the Year candidate for 2021,” Riley said. “He is a compassionate individual and I’m glad he decided to take on this process to let himself grow into the leader that I believe he is.
“Hudson has not given himself credit in the past, but with the months that have passed working toward the state competition,” Riley added, “I believe he has gained a lot more confidence and self-worth that makes me happy to see.”
In January, the process began as Mayer started his application, which included four essays on given topics, a cover letter, letters of recommendation, writing a speech and a resume. He completed it by March to submit the application by April.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still problematic during those months, West Point did not host a formal YOY competition and Mayer was the only one interested in going through the complete process.
“COVID has been challenging in getting the numbers we used to have at the center for youth to get involved in a program like Youth of the Year,” Riley said. “Luckily, Hudson was one of the youths who regularly came to the center and was interested in being West Point’s candidate.”
Mayer, a 17-year-old who attends Goshen Central High School, prepared for the New York State BGCA YOY Competition, which took place virtually on Zoom May 24, with Riley as they worked on memorizing, delivering his speech and interview questions since February.
“We met at least once a week to do these things,” Riley said. “Hudson also had been practicing at home with his parents.”
Mayer has lived at West Point since 2010 with his father, Col. Christopher Mayer, associate dean for Strategy and Initiatives as well as teaching philosophy; mother, Laura, a web development project manager; and sister.
In his years at West Point, including the last five years, the Youth Center has provided an outlet for him to grow as a person.
“It has given me the chance to make new friends and work with the staff,” Mayer said. “I can also participate in different activities such as resiliency training, sponsor training, movie night or just be a place to hang out. They have great food and a nice staff.”
In working toward the goal of winning at the BGCA YOY New York State Competition, Mayer prepared thoroughly on his personal growth with speaking in front of others and creating his own leadership style, especially with helping children who don’t always have a voice.
“Getting a chance to advocate for youth who have special needs and different abilities has helped me,” Mayer said. “I learned to be a good leader. I have also learned a lot about putting together resumes and how to give a speech.”
Mayer said the heart of his speech was his advocacy for youth with special needs that allowed him to be a helping hand to other youth who have their own unique struggles in life, allowing him to confront and reflect on his own personal struggles.
“I talked about listening and being understanding toward people with differences,” Mayer said. “I talked about my personal life with autism. I also talked about my experience at the Youth Center and how much I have gained from being a part of it.”
The narrative of Mayer’s life is his autism, but this competition platform has allowed him to detail his struggles and how he has coped with them and developed as a human.
“I have had to overcome challenges associated with my autism,” Mayer said. “Noises, smells and other stimuli used to really bother me, but I have gotten used to them and have coping strategies — so they no longer bother me.
“I have travelled a lot even though it was hard, but I try not to let it stop me from doing the things I love,” he added.
All Boys and Girls Clubs of America participants must embody the values of leadership, service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles.
The West Point Youth Center offers programs in five service areas to include health and wellness, the arts, character and leadership development, education, and sports and recreation. With all those offerings, it helps adolescents achieve the values that exemplify the critical impact that Boys and Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.
“The Youth Center is a place for teens to come learn and be a part of a community that builds a program based on leadership, service, academic excellence and living a healthy lifestyle,” Riley said. “We have an amazing team at the Youth Center that designs activities and programs for teens to learn how to lead in their community, build on their interests, and seek help to be able to excel in all areas of their lives.
“These teens are very fortunate to have a place like this to go to, which provides them with the necessary skills and qualities that will help them further their education and be successful in future careers,” Riley added.
Mayer said he embodies those tenets as he looks at himself as a leader who is compassionate, kind and able to relate to those he leads. He serves in many ways to include helping at blood drives and said when he turns 18, he would like to volunteer at Keller Army Community Hospital. He enjoys learning and always embraces absorbing a subject to its full extent. He also exercises daily and eats healthy. One of his favorite things to do is take walks with his family and dog, Milly, and his other dog, Oova, who just recently died.
Mayer hit all the criteria needed to participate in the competition and this was the first time he participated in a contest of this type and magnitude. The hardest part of it, he said, was trying to figure out how to respond to possible interview questions and memorizing his speech.
Mayer competed against Fort Drum’s candidate for the New York State Military Youth of the Year and a chance for a $10,000 scholarship. The winner got to move on to the Northeast regionals and to the nationals if he progresses.
When the competition was complete, Mayer finished in second place and won a $4,000 scholarship. “I gave it my best,” Mayer said. “I really appreciate all the help I received in preparing for the competition. The person who won gave a really good speech.”
It was a little tough for him to do it virtually as Mayer said he preferred an in-person competition, which would allow him to, “see the judges face-to-face. Also, technical problems were a challenge in this year’s format.”
Nonetheless, it was a great learning experience for Mayer to be recognized as the West Point Youth of the Year as his great future not only has started but will continue onward from here.
“It was really exciting to be recognized as the BGCA West Point Youth of the Year,” Mayer said. “I really appreciate Mrs. Riley for helping me apply and prepare. My participating in the competition has made me more confident. Now, I feel like I can do anything.”
Mayer is one of the many children and teenagers who have walked through the Youth Center over the many years, and as the BGCA’s motto, “Great Futures Start Here,” rings true, it is meaningful for the West Point Youth Center staff to see the kids who come through, like Mayer, succeed in life through some of their diligent work.
“Youth need all the support and encouragement from mentors and their elders in order to gain the confidence needed to be productive in society today,” Riley said. “To work with the next generation that will make the world a better place is rewarding and I love helping youth, like Hudson, grow into the people they are meant to be.
“I welcome all youth into the center who are looking to find support and guidance in their endeavors, our team at the Youth Center is always willing to help, listen and provide support so they can succeed,” she added. “All teens need more supportive individuals in their lives and being one of them is enjoyable.”
(Editor’s note: The Youth Center will be looking for its next Youth of the Year candidate starting in November. To all youth 14 and older who are looking for a leadership role and scholarship opportunity, it is encouraged to get involved at the Youth Center to be eligible and compete in future Youth of the Year competitions.)