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Local teens score high in Youth of the Year competition

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  Two local high school students from the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community were recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Jersey at a "Youth of the Year" ceremony in Trenton May 18.

Ian Wildman, son of retired Master Sgt. Ian Wildman Sr. and Sun Wildman, and LaShanda Dargan, daughter of Joe Ann Everett, ASA-Dix Defense Military Pay Office director, were McGuire and Dix Youth Center nominees for the 2010 Youth of the Year Award.

Staff from each local Boys and Girls Club in the state selects a candidate between the ages of 14 to 18 to represent their club and compete in the state-level competition.

Participation in the state-level Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Program requires contestants to excel in their academic endeavors in school, be community service oriented and demonstrate leadership skills within their local club organization.

The Boys and Girls Club offers programs focusing on character and leadership; education and career; health and life style; the arts, sports; fitness and recreation; and specialized initiatives.

"All of the military installations world-wide have a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club," said Cheryl Shervington, Dix Youth Center Youth of the Year advisor. "All the programs are run the same way; whether it is in mentoring, arts and crafts or photography ..."

The Youth of the Year program offers an unique opportunity for Boys and Girls Club professionals, volunteers and supporters from across the state to come together to celebrate and recognize the achievements of New Jersey's young leaders.

"(To compete in the state competition) members of the Boys and Girls Clubs have to report all their volunteer hours," said Shervington. "All their hours spent with local and regional clubs, school and church activities are added up to determine the best student to represent the Boys and Girls Club."

Dargan won second place in the competition.

"She was the first representative from Dix to ever place at the state level," said Al Stansbury, Dix Youth Center director.

Dargan, a senior at the Burlington County Institute of Technology, maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is currently ranked fifth in her class. She is president and secretary of her school's student government. She is also a member of the Jaguar Club, a varsity cheerleader and has been frequently voted "Student of the Month." She said she hopes to pursue a career as a doctor at East Carolina University, N.C.

"The club is my life," said Dargan. "It has always been a place for me to learn, explore and live a long, happy life. It is like my second home."

Wildman competed in and won the Air Mobility Command Youth of the Year competition after participating in the statewide program.

Youth center staff from each Air Force base nominates one member of the Boys and Girls Club to compete in a competition at the major command level ever year. Winners of the major command competitions, such as Wildman, will go on to compete for the Air Force-level award June 22 at the Pentagon in D.C.

"Ian volunteers at the Youth Center three times a week and still has time to work at a local pizzeria," said Kevin Hansen, McGuire Youth Program chief. "He also helps his father with writing contracts, billing statements and keeping up physically with the homes his father rents out."

Wildman, a senior at Pemberton Township High School, is ranked 30th in his class of 300 and is the president of the Future Business Leaders Association, captain of the tennis team, editor of the school paper and a member of the school's academic team and Asian Club. He was accepted to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, N.Y. He said he aspires to join the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"Through the club I not only get a chance to improve myself, but I also get a chance to improve the youth of the community," said Wildman.

He said he gives credit to his parents' experience and work ethic, which shaped him to be a hard-working, diligent and courteous individual.

Contact the McGuire Youth Center at 754-2050 or the Dix Youth Center at 562-5061 for more information on the Boys and Girls Club and other JB MDL youth programs.