MAKAWAO - Honored in Hawaii for his "extraordinary character and leadership," 17-year-old Zachary Jarman of the Boys & Girls Club of Maui has been honored as the state Youth of the Year.
And this summer, he'll travel to California to compete for recognition as Pacific Region Youth of the Year.
As the state winner, Jarman earned a $1,000 scholarship. The winner of the regional competition will receive a $10,000 scholarship and advance to a national competition and a chance of receiving another $15,000 in scholarships and a face-to-face meeting with President Barack Obama.
"It's like a whole new thing for me," Jarman said of his state award. "I get a lot of respect from people, and there's a lot of positive energy around me."
The son of John Michael Jarman of Makawao was selected for the state award after competing against four other youths representing Boys & Girls clubs from around the state. The youths were judged on their essays, written recommendations, oral interviews and speech presentations.
Jarman was presented with the state award from the Hawaii Alliance of the Boys & Girls Clubs during a ceremony held last month in Honolulu.
A junior at King Kekaulike High School, Jarman maintains a 3.0 grade-point average while competing on the paddling and judo teams. He also played soccer in high school but had to give it up so he could concentrate on academics.
An eight-year member of the Boys & Girls Club's Upcountry unit, Jarman has impressed the adults at the agency with his dedication and service around the club.
"Zach has always been able to enter our club with a positive attitude and a smile on his face, regardless of what might be going on in his personal life," wrote Upcountry Unit Director Lisa Rodrigues.
According to Rodrigues, Jarman has participated in nearly every program the Boys & Girls Club has offered in the eight years he's been involved. "We are very proud of him and of his accomplishments," she said.
Cathy Rudow and Jill Delos Santos, both program directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Maui, describe Jarman as an "intelligent, dedicated and personable young man" who shows leadership and compassion among his peers.
"He does not judge or discriminate and treats everyone equally," Rudow and Delos Santos wrote in recommendation papers.
Last summer, Jarman was hired as a junior staff member at the Boys & Girls Club.
He said he joined the club "to have something to do" after school and has since found it to be a very supportive environment, particularly at times when he's had to overcome obstacles in his life.
Jarman said the Boys & Girls Club has had an unfair reputation of "being a place to baby-sit troublemakers."
"That's not how it is," Jarman said. "I've had fun, and I've really gotten a lot from this whole program."
He said he hopes to attend a Mainland college, but he has not decided what he'll study.
* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.
