La’Ron Williams Named 2024 Lawrence Youth of the Year
LAWRENCE, Kan. – For a young man who claims to be nervous about the next step after high school, La’Ron Williams acted with complete poise and confidence as he earned 2024 Lawrence Youth of the Year accolades Thursday night at the Lied Center of Kansas.
Presented by Mid America Bank, Youth of the Year is the premier recognition program for more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. In order to earn a Youth of the Year nomination, high school students must embody the values of leadership service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles.
BGCLK celebrated three candidates at the annual event. Abby Benally (Freshman, FSHS), Alex Johnson (Sophomore, FSHS) and Williams were each nominated by their Club mentors to vie for the top honor a Club kid can receive. All three delivered passionate speeches about their own experiences and adversity, creating another memorable event for the nearly 400 in attendance. The 2023 recipient of the NSMA Kansas Sportscaster of the Year, Brian Hanni, emceed the show.
“It was a beautiful night in a beautiful venue,” said Dr. Frank Harwood, Interim CEO. “The candidates were outstanding and the Lights On! performers were terrific, as well. It really showcased the amazing things going on at the Boys & Girls Club. Alex, Abby and La’Ron gave all of us a needed reminder that the future is in great hands.”
After his name was called, Williams’ face went from total surprise to pure happiness. He hugged both of his fellow candidates. The camaraderie, friendship and mutual support between the three was clearly evident. Williams said how grateful he was to be selected, but quickly added how proud he was of Benally and Johnson.
“They did so amazing,” Williams said. “They reminded me of what it was like last year in my first time walking across a stage and speaking in front of all of these people – but they executed it so well. No stutters, no pauses, no checking their notes. To do that their first time is truly amazing. I’m thankful that both of them were by my side tonight.”
The son of Contressa Woodson and Jermell Taylor, Williams is a senior at Free State High School. At the Center for Great Futures, he shines brightest as a member of the Ball 4 All basketball league and is one of officers of Keystone Club, a community service group at CGF. Fittingly, Williams intends to major in Journalism at the University of Kansas. He hopes to become a writer or a public speaker.
In his speech, he opened up about the enormity of graduating high school and ‘reality’ coming at him. He talked about how his internship at the Boys & Girls Club this summer gave him a chance to choose real-life experience rather than a carefree summer break. He was vulnerable with the crowd about how daunting it is to leave the comfort zone he’s built at school and at the Club.
Johnson spoke eloquently about the dangers of communicating through screens rather than humanizing people with face-to-face conversations. Taking away the ability to have real conversations makes it easier to lose sight of the actual people behind the online comments. He has endured painful homophobic insults as a result, but he found comfort in his mentors at Boys & Girls Club. They gave him a safe environment that celebrated him for who he is.
The only freshman of the group, Abby Benally, shared personal stories about her father’s battle with PTSD after his time serving in the United States Army. She came to BGC as a shy student in fifth grade and has since blossomed into a confident and strong young woman thanks to the support she feels from her mentors.
To make a special night all the more perfect, Williams was joined on stage by his younger brother, a fifth grader at New York Elementary, who was named the 2024 Junior Youth of the Year earlier this month. Just like his older brother, Ja’Corey gave a moving speech about what Boys & Girls Club means to him.
“I almost cried,” Williams said. “I had to fight tears all day today, actually. Watching him walk up there – he’s basically a mini-me. I was really happy. I didn’t think he would be into this type of thing, but seeing him up there public speaking was a joy.”
Needless to say, when it came time to select the winner, the judges had a difficult task. During the afternoon, the panel (Demetrius Kemp, Gayle Borland, Derek Stucker, Jena Dick and Allison Vance Moore) interviewed each candidate and gave their application packets a complete scoring review. The speeches given during the evening’s program accounted for the final piece of the puzzle. After a tough round of deliberations, Williams came through with the highest score.
“I wouldn’t have got this far if it wasn’t for the people in my life who truly care about me and push me every day to be the best me that I possibly can,” Williams said. “Even on days I didn’t feel like participating, they always convinced me to try. The fact that I tried Youth of the Year – both times – is because of them. Now I’m here! Thank you to Alex and Abby for going through this process with me. Thank you to the judges. Thank you to my family and thank you to the Boys & Girls Club.”
Williams will now go on to represent Lawrence in the state competition in March. State winners advance to regional competitions; regional winners advance to the National Youth of the Year event. Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence has produced the Kansas Youth of the Year in six of the last 11 years, most recently being Arabella Gipp in 2022.