Sarah Brown
Sweet Home High School senior Angeleah Williams was honored as this year’s Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
In an essay describing her life as a child whose family has moved multiple times in different states and whose father struggled with alcoholism, she said it was difficult to find stability in the home. She describes learning experiences she encountered regarding diversity and racism in our country.
By the time she was 10 years old, Williams felt trapped, secluded and insignificant. But then she became a member of the Club at Sweet Home where she broke out of her shell, she said.
“The club has inspired me to get involved within my community, and to restore what is now an amazing relationship with my father,” she said. “Let me leave you with this thought: Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, even if they do not have a voice. Thank you, Boys and Girls Club, for giving me that voice.”
Williams currently holds a 3.98 GPA, and plans to be a dermatologist. She won a scholarship funded by Community Presbyterian Church, Dave Bauer, Bryan and Anji Gardner, Larry Horton, Kris Latimer and Scott and Wendi Melcher, and moves to the regional competition on March 13 with her essay.
Other finalists for the Greater Santiam club were Henry Shelton of Scio, and Ashley Farthing of Sweet Home.