Local teen named Micmac Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

    PRESQUE ISLE – Zachary Bishop is a true example of an extraordinary young man. At age 14 he has just been selected as the Youth of the Year for the Micmac Boys & Girls Club. Bishop is among hundreds of local Youth of the Year winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.     Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
    Bishop has been attending youth activities at the Micmac Youth Department since he was 5 years old. He is very devoted to his family, culture and community. A few examples are: he helps his aunt every year at the local Pow-wow, selling native crafts and food; and he helps out at the club playing games with younger members.
    School has not always been easy for Bishop. He has struggled over the years with his grades. This year he has worked hard at getting his grades up and has been very successful at it. Bishop’s goal after high school is to attend college and become a computer game designer.
     “It is an honor to award Zachary Bishop the Micmac Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year award. We are proud of him for his academic accomplishments,” said Myrth Schwartz, unit director of the Micmac Boys & Girls Club.
    On May 1, Bishop competed against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Maine Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from Reader’s Digest.
    The winner of the state level will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2008 to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year.
    The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the president in an Oval Office ceremony.