SILOAM SPRINGS — Ethan Bailey, of Siloam Springs, and Logan Bates, of Gravette, were named the junior youth of the year at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County’s annual banquet on Nov. 19.

Torrie Bailey, of Siloam Springs, was named senior youth of the year.

The youth of the year program is a national Boys and Girls Club program, according to Kyle Scogin, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County.

A youth of the month was selected from September 2012 through August 2013 from the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County’s Gravette and Siloam Springs locations. The junior youth of the year for each location was chosen from the youth of the month candidates, Scogin explained. The youth of the year then has the opportunity to advance on to regional, state and even national competitions, he said.

Youth of the month are chosen because they are role models for their fellow students and ambassadors for the club, Scogin said. They respect their peers and staff members, help younger club members and generally show the characteristics of outstanding citizens.

“It’s their club, they have to take pride in it,” Scogin said.

Senior youth of the year are volunteers or employees who help with younger students. The senior youth of the year receives a $500 scholarship and goes on to a competition in Little Rock.

Junior youth of the year receive a plaque and a $25 gift card to the Siloam Springs Six Theater.

Erick Walder, of Fayetteville, was the keynote speaker for the event. Walder, a former University of Arkansas athlete, was a 10 time national champion, 13 time All-American and an eight time Southeastern Conference champion in the long and triple jump of a four year career. He was ranked the numberone long jumper in the U.S. for three straight years (97-99) and ranked top ten in the world for eight consecutive years. He was the USA Track and Field national long jump champ in 96 and 97 and a two-time Goodwill Games Silver Medalist in the long jump. He continues to hold Arkansas’ school records for the long jump both indoors and outdoors as well as the NCAA outdoor long jump record.

Walder told students that a person can’t control whether they are very talented or only a little talented but they can control their attitude and work ethic. He encouraged students to work hard in the classroom and to make sure they truly love the sport they get involved in.

“You may be a very gifted athlete but you’re only as good as your heart,” he said.

He told them to dream big and advised them to never let anyone tell them what they couldn’t do or accomplish.

“Always stay focused,” Walder said. “If you fail get back up and try again.”

Boys and Girls Club youth of the month

◊September 2012: Siloam Springs Laney Dowdy/Gravette Tori Majdan

◊October 2012: Siloam Springs Baron Meek/ Gravette Spencer Hickman

◊November 2012: Siloam Springs Ian Williams/ Gravette Daelyn Teague

◊December 2012: Siloam Springs Jadyn Still/ Gravette Alex Mckinley

◊January 2013: Siloam Springs Reagan Farmer/ Gravette Madison Lundquist

◊Febuary 2013: Siloam Springs Gabe Dunlao/ Gravette Eylie Green

◊March 2013: SiloamSprings Sophia Lange/ Gravette Logan Bates

◊April 2013: Siloam Springs Kendi Williamson/Gravette Cadence Hardin

◊May 2013: Siloam Springs Jordan Christopher/Gravette Tovin Cornell

◊June 2013: Siloam Springs Ethan Bailey/ Gravette Jacob Reid

◊July 2013: Siloam Springs Montana Herrel/ Gravette Adelaide Johnson

◊August 2013: Siloam Springs Abbie Scroggins/ Gravette Jonathan Smith.

Sports, Pages 10 on 11/27/2013