Vogeti to Virtually Represent Lawrence at 2021 Kansas Youth of the Year
LAWRENCE, Kan. – One of the first things people notice about Pranav Vogeti is his ability to adapt to new situations. The speech he delivered at the Lawrence Youth of the Year (YOY) ceremony was filled with examples of how he adapts to change. The Free State High School junior gets to show off those resiliency skills during the virtual Kansas Youth of the Year competition on Wednesday afternoon.
When the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence (BGCLK) hosted the local Youth of the Year ceremony in January, Club officials were determined to provide an in-person experience as the virtual setting for State YOY had already been decided. Vogeti shined on stage at Liberty Hall, despite the fact that he was looking out at a nearly empty audience. The event was live-streamed to viewers all over the region, which made for a bit of an awkward set up for the candidates. Unfazed, Vogeti and his fellow candidates were terrific.
On Wednesday, Vogeti will give his speech through a computer screen. His BGCLK mentors will set up a spot for him at the Center for Great Futures, so he can give his speech and answer interview questions with lots of support around him.
“We know it’s not wise to bring a large number of candidates and their mentors to one location during this pandemic. The Kansas Alliance made the right decision,” Club CEO Monica Dittmer said. “But we will do everything we can to make sure Pranav feels the support and love he deserves. There are family members, teachers, teammates and friends all over Lawrence cheering him on. He is a sensational young man, and we are very proud of him.”
The son of Lakshminarayana (LN) and Subha Vogeti, Pranav made himself a well-rounded young man at the Club. It was at the Teen Center that he really began enjoying sports and challenged himself to learn more to better connect with his BGC friends. Pranav has not decided on a college yet, but he plans to major in computer science with career aspirations of becoming a video game developer. According to Vogeti, the coolest part of advancing to the state level is getting to represent Lawrence.
“It means so much to me to represent Lawrence,” he said. “Lawrence has been the place that I grew up. I was born here and lived here until third grade, before all the moving began. I got back here in eighth grade, and now I’ve lived here for seven years. It means so much to be able to represent this city, from its historic sports programs and James Naismith; to the abolitionist movement against slavery; and now to represent the new community we have, including the new Boys & Girls Club and all of the Clubs and activities here that encourage kids to step out and be free. I’m honored to get the opportunity to represent Lawrence in this way.”
Seven candidates (five traditional and two military) and a panel of judges will be invited to a Zoom meeting, where each candidate will individually deliver their speeches and complete an interview with the judges. The virtual stage will not be open to the public. The 2021 Kansas Youth of the Year will be named at 5:30 p.m. The winner’s announcement will be live streamed here.
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 five of the last nine years, most recently being Ruth Gathunguri in March 2019.