Youth of the Year Mieasha Hicks was announced as the 2003-2004 National Youth of the Year winner at the annual BGCA National Youth of the Year Congressional Breakfast on September 17, 2003. She received this prestigious honor before numerous U.S. Senators such as Ted Stevens (AK) and Patrick Leahy (VT) and U.S. Representatives such as Steny Hoyer (MD) and Jeff Sessions (AL). Mieasha, a member of the B&GC of Toledo for 10 years, receives a $10,000 college scholarship from the Readers Digest Foundation which also awarded her and the other regional finalists $5000. The oldest of seven children, Hicks was raised by a grandmother and aunts. At the Club she was involved with the Keystone Youth leadership program and assisted in the after-school homework help program. She has been a strong role model for Club members and her siblings. As a freshman at Bowling Green State University and the national spokesperson for 3.6 million Boys & Girls Club members, Mieasha will balance her school work with speaking at a variety of national and regional conferences and events. Clubs can find an online kit for BGCA's Youth of the Year Character & Leadership Program at www.bgca.net.