awards banquet March 9 alongside her parents, Vernard and Sharone
Washington. Garrett was named 2015 Kansas Military Youth
of the Year by BGCA and is moving on to the regional competition
in ... VIEW ORIGINAL
On a typical day, 17-year-old Ebony Garrett can be found volunteeringat Valley View Nursing Home in Junction City, at the Fort Riley Child, Youth and School Services or at her part time job at Goody's.
However, on March 9, Garrett was giving a speech at the Civic Theatre and Academy in Topeka, Kansas. She was trying to convince a panel of judges why she should be named Kansas Boys and Girls Club of America's 2015 Military Youth of the Year. She was successful.
"The more I get involved, the more I get to see different things that average teenagers don't get to see, especially when I go to the nursing home and talk to the elderly and I hear their different stories," Garrett said. "It's something that is eye-opening."
The Junction City High School senior won a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete June 2 in Dallas for the regional title. Since the age of 5, Garrett has been involved in the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Garrett is involved in a number of local organizations, including her church nursery, the open door shelter and numerous organizations at Junction City High School. She is alsoSister and the American Red Cross.
Garrett is a certified nursing assistant and has interned at Geary County Hospital. Sharone Washington, Garrett's mother and retired Army sergeant first class, said her daughter finds great joy in helping her community.
"She is very involved in the community. She's a social butterfly,"Washington said. "She likes to jump into anything she can get her hands involved in. Sometimes I have to tell her "you have too much on your plate,' and we have to decide what's more important and what she can let go."
Garrett experienced a number of obstacles while growing up. During her speech at the awards banquet, she talked about how she hopes to encourage youth to never give up on their dreams despite the many obstacles they will face.
Garrett's parents are both retired Army veterans. After being born in El Paso, Texas, Washington was stationed at Fort Riley, where Garrett grew up. Garrett rarely left Fort Riley except when her parents were deployed at the same time.
During the times of deployment, Garrett moved to her grandparents' house, where she attended civilian elementary school. Garrett was bullied about her military background.
"Her being a military child, she was teased and bullied," Washington said. "They called her a military brat. She was different. She talked different, dressed different and acted different."
Washington added the reason they are in Kansas today is because Garrett begged her to stay.
"When I left for my last deployment in 2007, she begged me." Washington said. "I'll never forget my baby grabbing my leg, crying, saying 'mommy, please give it up'. When I was down range, I put in my retirement papers and I came back and retired. She begged me to stay here so she could be
stable through school."
Garrett credits her parents for being a large influence in her life and getting her started on a path of volunteerism. Washington helped Garrett become involved with the Boys and Girls Club of America
through School-Aged Services at Fort Riley.
"Even though I have faced many obstacles, it has helped shape me into who I am today," Garrett said.
Washington said she is proud of Garrett's many accomplishments, including being named Kansas Youth of the Year two years ago while still a sophomore in high school. Garrett will graduate from
Junction City High School May 17. The next step in her life is to attend Pratt Community College seeking a degree in nursing. Her ultimate goal is to become a neurosurgeon.
"She's becoming a leader and getting out of her comfort zone," Washington said. "She's
the type of kid that I don't have to tell her to make a plan she already has a plan laid out."
Social Sharing