Gathunguri Named 2018 Kansas Youth of the Year
TOPEKA, Kan. – The roar from the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence crowd was indicative of the love and support surrounding Ruth Gathunguri as she was named the Kansas Youth of the Year Wednesday night at the Washburn Institute of Technology campus.
Gathunguri, a junior at Free State High School, will now represent Kansas at the Southwest Region Youth of the Year ceremony on June 14 in Dallas.
“It’s a lot. I’m so proud,” Gathunguri said through happy tears. “When I lost last year, I saw it as an opportunity to get better. I just want to keep showing kids that they can be leaders at any age. I want people to know that they can see beauty in their differences and love themselves no matter what. I’m so excited to represent not only Lawrence – but also Kansas – in the Regional Youth of the Year.”
Keeping her message on point, Gathunguri delivered a strong speech about race, the painful effects of bullying and the dangers of body shaming. She strives to embrace the beauty in every difference, specifically with the kindergarten group she works with at the Sunset Hill Elementary BGC site.
“I love representing them,” she said. “I know there are some who are going through so many problems, but I want them to know that if something is bothering you in your community, you can do something about it. You don’t have to be a certain age. You don’t have to be someone glamorous. You can motivate anyone around you.”
Seven candidates (five traditional and two military) spent the day together in Topeka. Gathunguri, and her fellow Kansas candidates, interviewed with the panel of judges, presented two rounds of speeches and went on a guided tour of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They transitioned directly into the evening with a meet-and-greet with several local and state elected officials before the winner was announced at the official evening program.
The morning began with an inspiring speech from Mayor Michelle De La Isla. The first Latina mayor of Topeka, De La Isla gave each candidate terrific advice, reminding them to show their scars and share their stories. She said that leadership is not about power; it’s about compassion. The message was well received by the group of stellar candidates, all of whom embody the values of leadership service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles. Youth of the Year honorees exemplify the powerful impact that the Boys & Girls Club has on kids.
They heard from several motivating speakers throughout the night, including Jodi Millerbernd, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Southwest Region Vice President. It was Millerbernd who made the announcement that Gathunguri won the Kansas crown. She now becomes the fourth Lawrence candidate to be named the Kansas Youth of the Year in the last seven years.
“I am super proud of Ruth and our staff team that worked so hard with her and all of Youth of the Year kids,” Colby Wilson, BGCLK Chief Executive Officer, said. “Our development program is something we really focus on, and it shows when we go to state competitions like this. Ruth is really an amazing kid, and is great at not making it about her, yet still doing a great job telling her story. You really want to root for her.”
Gathunguri has career aspirations in medicine and plans to become a nurse practitioner. She is looking at Johnson County Community College for her first two years of school before moving on to Pitt State.