Toyota Financial Services (TFS), as part of its Making Life Easier for YOUth
initiative, recently awarded a new Corolla to the 2013-14 Boys &
Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) National Youth of the Year Winner Kiana
Knolland. The vehicle presentation took place at Eddy’s Toyota in
Wichita, Kansas, on March 12. Representatives from TFS, Toyota Motor
Sales (TMS), and BGCA were in attendance, as well as teens from Boys
& Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and Boys & Girls Clubs of
South Central Kansas, where Knolland was a longstanding member.
National Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier recognition for teen Club members who have made outstanding contributions to their family, school, community, and local Club while overcoming personal obstacles. Nominations begin at the Club and continue through the state, regional, and national levels. Participants are chosen on local and state levels, with five regional winners meeting each September in Washington, D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. Five judges individually interview each candidate, and select the national winner.
“Kiana’s achievements are truly inspiring, and we are excited about the extraordinary future that awaits her,” said Al Smith, Group Vice President, TFS Service Operations & Corporate Planning. “At Toyota, we relentlessly strive to do and be the best each day, and to improve our communities along the way… and we feel that Kiana’s character and determination represent those same values.”
Knolland was introduced to Boys & Girls Clubs at the age of 5, and she attributes her confidence and drive to the lessons she learned during her time there. Hers was a difficult childhood, lacking many of the opportunities and advantages most young people have. But Knolland never lost sight of her goal of becoming an attorney, and she knew that she had to take steps to secure her education. This included writing to the admissions director of a private school, a school she knew her single mother could not afford, and explaining her reasons for wanting to attend; her initiative earned her a full scholarship for her junior and seniors years.
“It has been such a pleasure watching Kiana grow from a confused child into a focused young adult,” said Jeff Jacobs, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, and one of Kiana’s mentors. “Kiana is one of the finest young women I have ever known and we’re all so very proud of her.”
Knolland now attends Howard University in Washington, D.C., and plans to pursue a career in the legal field.
“The Boys & Girls Club has been an integral part of my life,” said Knolland. “I am honored to represent an organization that has had such a tremendous impact on my character and well-being.”
National Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier recognition for teen Club members who have made outstanding contributions to their family, school, community, and local Club while overcoming personal obstacles. Nominations begin at the Club and continue through the state, regional, and national levels. Participants are chosen on local and state levels, with five regional winners meeting each September in Washington, D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. Five judges individually interview each candidate, and select the national winner.
“Kiana’s achievements are truly inspiring, and we are excited about the extraordinary future that awaits her,” said Al Smith, Group Vice President, TFS Service Operations & Corporate Planning. “At Toyota, we relentlessly strive to do and be the best each day, and to improve our communities along the way… and we feel that Kiana’s character and determination represent those same values.”
Knolland was introduced to Boys & Girls Clubs at the age of 5, and she attributes her confidence and drive to the lessons she learned during her time there. Hers was a difficult childhood, lacking many of the opportunities and advantages most young people have. But Knolland never lost sight of her goal of becoming an attorney, and she knew that she had to take steps to secure her education. This included writing to the admissions director of a private school, a school she knew her single mother could not afford, and explaining her reasons for wanting to attend; her initiative earned her a full scholarship for her junior and seniors years.
“It has been such a pleasure watching Kiana grow from a confused child into a focused young adult,” said Jeff Jacobs, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, and one of Kiana’s mentors. “Kiana is one of the finest young women I have ever known and we’re all so very proud of her.”
Knolland now attends Howard University in Washington, D.C., and plans to pursue a career in the legal field.
“The Boys & Girls Club has been an integral part of my life,” said Knolland. “I am honored to represent an organization that has had such a tremendous impact on my character and well-being.”
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