By Lance Patterson, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last week the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson hosted its annual Youth of the Year banquet. Selected among four outstanding youth, Graciela Medina has been named the 2025 Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. The program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the local Youth of the Year, Graciela will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the local Club. She will receive a $1,000 college scholarship thanks to Heartland Credit Union and will compete in the Kansas Youth of the Year competition next spring.
Graciela is a junior at Hutchinson High School and has been a Club member for 12 years. She is on the soccer team at school, student council, Junior Leaders, and is working toward the Eagle Rank in Scouts. At the Club, Graciela has been involved in Club programs such as Power Hour, SMART Girls, Junior Staff, EPIC skillz, and flag football. Graciela is proud to motivate others. “I believe people work harder and better when they know they have someone there they can count on.”
“As our 2025 Hutchinson Youth of the Year, Graciela embodies the leadership, resilience, and dedication we strive to instill in every Club member.” said Lance Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson.
Gabriel Marcum, Taysha Rideaux, and Camrynn Harris were each named as runners up and were each awarded a $500 scholarship thanks to Heartland Credit Union. For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit http://www.youthoftheyear.org.
Volunteer Recognition Award Given – Ann
During this year’s Youth of the Year Banquet, the Boys & Girls Club proudly announced a special recognition award to honor Ann Richardson for her remarkable 27 years of service. Ann’s dedication to the Club’s mission has made a lasting impact through the beloved “Book Buddies” program, which she co-founded with Roonie Sellers in 1997.
Originally named “Links to Literacy,” the program was rebranded as “Book Buddies” to better capture its spirit. Through this initiative, 1st-3rd grade Club members are paired with caring volunteers at the Hutchinson Public Library to select, read, and discuss books, fostering a love of reading and building essential literacy skills.
Ann shared, “I think all the volunteers learn as much or more from our Book Buddies than they learn from us. We all feel lucky to be with them, and we hope in the future they will feel comfortable going into a library anywhere and will always have a love of learning and reading.”
Ann’s commitment to empowering young readers has touched countless lives and exemplifies the heart of the Boys & Girls Club’s mission to inspire and enable you to reach their full potential
Vision Leader Recognized for 30 Years – Brenda
The Boys & Girls Club proudly honors Brenda Higginbotham for 30 years of dedicated service. As Director of Program Development and Avenue A Site Director, Brenda is a cornerstone of the Club’s success. Her expertise in early youth development and trauma-informed care has shaped countless young lives and strengthened the organization.
Brenda’s passion for working directly with kids fuels her commitment to creating brighter futures every day. Her leadership, drive, and vision have built a lasting legacy that continues to inspire.
Thank you, Brenda, for three decades of dedication to our mission and community!
Junior Youth of the Year Named Junior Youth of the Year recognizes the Club’s younger teen members for their emerging leadership abilities while preparing them for later participation in the
Youth of the Year program
Elene W.-V., a student at Hutchinson High School, was recognized as the Junior Youth of the Year. She received the $250 Skip Wilson Junior Youth of the Year scholarship.
Elena knows firsthand how nerve-wracking a first day can be. At the Club, she makes a special effort to welcome new members. She’s also a familiar face in Power Hour where she helps others with homework and ensures Club members feel supported. This summer she gained first-job experience through the Club as a work-bas learner at Express Employment Professionals. Elena shared, “I am very happy with how far I got into that program…It definitely helped me see what I want to do when I graduate high school.”
Fund-the-Need Playground Updates
The Boys & Girls Club is pleased to announce that $71,000 has been raised toward the $75,000 goal for Phase 1 of the Shadduck Park renovation. This collaborative project with the City of Hutchinson will replace the aging playground with modern, safe equipment tailored to middle and high school students.
The City of Hutchinson has allocated $75,000 for the project in 2025, challenging the Club to match these funds. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are nearing this milestone. Future phases of the project will include enhancements to the backcourt, the addition of pickleball courts, and upgrades to the VFW field.
This initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating a safer, more dynamic space for youth to play, learn, and thrive in the Southwest Bricktown area.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson
Since 1990 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson has been serving local youth. Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize
their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Our vision is to provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship and living a healthy lifestyle.
