PAWTUCKET — Carolina Correa, chosen the Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket in April, won recognition as Rhode Island’s 2009 Youth of the Year on Wednesday at the annual awards ceremony held at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick.

Correa, 19, a senior at Shea High School and a Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket member for seven years, was chosen from a field of five teens by a diverse panel of judges that reviewed packets of background information and interviewed each of the candidates. The other competitors represented Boys & Girls Clubs in East Providence, Newport, Providence and Warwick.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program promotes and recognizes service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life.
“We know that Carolina is an exceptional student, athlete and person because we have seen her grow over the years. It’s gratifying to know that others recognize the traits, characteristics, knowledge and skills she exhibits and that make her stand out. She is very deserving of the Rhode Island Youth of the Year title and will be a strong representative in the upcoming regional competition,” said Pawtucket Club CEO James Hoyt.
An aspiring child psychologist, who
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plans to pursue her studies at Assumption College in the fall, Correa is also a coach for the Club’s swim team, the Sharks. Beyond her schoolwork, she works two part-time jobs and volunteers in the community.
Colombian born, the now-bilingual Correa came to the United States at 12 years old, having endured difficult family challenges while in her native country and after her arrival here. Since childhood, she has tackled chores and sought means of income, such as dog walking and life guarding, to assist her mother in supporting their family.
At Shea, Correa is captain of the swim team and a member of the Key Club, a community service organization, in which she works to maintain a positive school atmosphere for all students. She also works at Family Day, mentors incoming freshman, and serves as a tutor for the school’s S.T.A.R. after-school program. Meanwhile, she takes advanced placement courses at Shea. Correa will graduate in the top 5 percent of her class this spring.
Additionally, she has been nominated to the City of Pawtucket’s Teen Hall of Fame and was recently inducted to the National Honor Society of High School scholars.  Being named the state’s Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive in Rhode Island. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Club as well as overcoming personal challenges. The national Youth of the Year program was founded more than 60 years ago by the Reader’s Digest Foundation for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
As winner of the state contest, Correa is awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. Furthermore, Correa moves on to regional consideration in July, vying for a $10,000 scholarship among a field of 14. If successful, she will be among five regional winners that will compete in the national competition, which carries with it an additional $15,000 scholarship and installation by President Obama in a White House Oval Office ceremony.
Nominees for the State Youth of the Year exhibit the personal qualities that Pawtucket and other clubs foster such as honesty, responsibility, caring, fairness and respect. Each nominee also possesses a healthy self-concept along with strong communication and interpersonal skills. As with all Club members, the candidates are taught to become the best citizens they can be. 
The Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket has been serving the community through recreational and educational programs since 1900. Today, the Club has more than 4,000 members. Charitable donations further the Club’s mission of enhancing the lives of local youth and families and providing hope for the future.