JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
One of Joint Base Charleston's youths was recently recognized during the 2012 Air Force Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Award ceremony June 22, at the Pentagon auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Fifteen-year old Kimberly King, daughter of Frenchi King, a former JB Charleston - Weapons Station Fleet and Family Support Center personal financial educator, was presented a plaque acknowledging her accomplishments by Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, during her trip to the Pentagon.
This annual event recognized more than 50 Air Force youths from Air Force bases around the world for their contributions to their installations' youth programs, families, schools and communities.
King, a sophomore at Goose Creek High School, S.C., was chosen as Joint Base Charleston's - Weapons Station Youth of the Year. She attends the JB Charleston - Weapons Station Youth Center and is the historian of the Keystone Club. King is also active in the community and volunteers at her local church.
As part of the package for the award, teens had to write essays about what the youth center means to them and why post-education is important. They also had to submit recommendation letters from family members and teachers.
"I got to meet so many new people [during the trip to Washington, D.C.]," said King. "I was one of the youngest teens there, so I got a lot of advice from the older teens."
King's goal is to attend the University of Texas and to study biology. She is currently enrolled in the Berkeley Center for the Arts, which offers students in grades nine through 12, a pre-professional program of study in the areas of creative writing, dance, strings, theater, visual arts, voice, winds and precussion.
"Kimberly is a mature, young woman," said Lamar Moorehead, 628th Force Support Squadron, JB Charleston - Weapons Station Youth Center teen coordinator. "She is a self-driven individual and is very goal-oriented."
During her trip to the capitol, King participated in events at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md, including an Air Force Teen Council presentation and leadership and public speaking training. Additionally, the teens began developing Air Force-wide projects to reach out to other Air Force teens in order to get them more involved with their local communities.
Lauryssa Davis, 18-year old daughter of Youth Center employee Alicia Davis, was named the Youth of the Year from the Joint Base Charleston - Air Base Youth Center. Davis also attended the award ceremony and plans to attend Trident Technical School in Charleston in the fall.
Air Force Youth Programs offer high quality educational, recreational and social activities for youth and teens at Air Force installations worldwide. For more information, visit www.afyouthprograms.com or stop by a local installation youth center.