Tae McKenzie, a Lincoln High graduate, has been named Youth of the Year for the Pacific Region Boys & Girls Club.
The student will receive a $10,000 scholarship for college, as well as $8,000 for her win at the state level, and will continue on to the national competition. She will pick up an additional $50,000 if she wins in Washington, D.C., in September.
McKenzie plans to study communications and business at the Seattle campus of the University of Washington this fall, but has also set up a summer internship within the Seattle Seahawks organization. Many students would use these sorts of accolades to grace future business card printing or résumé submissions.
McKenzie has participated in the South Puget Sound Boys & Girls club for 11 years. Originally, she attended the program to hang out at the Hilltop, and then later served as a younger kids’ role model. She served on Tacoma Public Schools’ Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Committee, and was co-founder of a mentorship program for girls at Lincoln, named Sisterhood.
According to the News Tribute, the Boys & Girls Club office counts it a rare honor when it advances a youth to the national competition. The last time participant in the club moved forward was in 2009, when Christney Kpodo, also a graduate of Lincoln High, won the Pacific Region.
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