JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The 2015 state level Military Youth of The Year is a member of the Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Air Base Youth Center.
Dorian Holnes, the son of Pablo Holnes (retired Air Force) and Martiza Dawkins-Holnes, was named the South Carolina Military Youth of the Year May 1, 2015 earning $5,000 in scholarship money. Holnes now moves on to compete for the regional title.
The Military Youth of the Year is part of a program held by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognizing individuals who are part of the traditional Boys & Girls Clubs as well as military Youth Centers.
Candidates were required to provide three letters of recommendation as well as write four essays; the first being about their club experience, the second about their vision for America's youth, the third about what they strive to stand for in the minds and hearts of those who know them. Lastly, the youth center candidates submitted a fourth essay discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of growing up in a military family. In addition to the letters of recommendation and essays, candidates participated in an interview segment as well as delivering a speech based on the content of their application essays.
Currently, Holnes is a student at Fort Dorchester High School in Summerville, S.C., is a southeast regional representative on the Air Force Teen Council and is a member of the Fort Dorchester Link Crew. A unique program, Link Crew assists underclassmen making the transition from middle school to high school.
He is also active within the local community volunteering his time at the Lowcountry Homeless Shelter, as well as participating in beach preservation and oyster reef creation projects. Holnes is also an active participant in the suicide prevention programs at Fort Dorchester High School.
While maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, Holnes still finds time to volunteer at the youth center and act in his high school productions.
Holnes is planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study film and cinematography.
Trisha Gallaway, Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs contributed to this story