Winnie Tataw was named the 2017 Youth of the Year in a ceremony on post Jan. 27.

This is Tataw's second time being the Fort Jackson Youth of the Year having won the honor in 2015.

The Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year program is a premier recognition program that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of club members. Each month a youth is chosen by club staff who embodies the values of leadership, service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles. These youth then have the opportunity to compete at the local, state, and national levels.

Tataw, who has been attending BGCA programs since age 6, said she is very excited and hopes to win at the state level and represent Fort Jackson well.

The Youth of the Year ceremony, was attended by the Youth of the Month winners and their families, as well as CYS staff.

Brooks Harper, a premier college and career readiness and soft skills speaker, spoke at the event and reminded the youth of the importance of "the conversation you have with yourself, about yourself, when you're by yourself."

The Middle School and Teen Center staff looks forward to guiding Winnie through the continued Youth of the Year competitions and her future success.