A first-year Morrill Scholar with a lifelong passion for working to fight food insecurity issues was named the 2022 National Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in late October.
Asha Haddox-Rossiter, a public management, leadership and policy major at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, was recognized with the highest honor for Club teens at a gala event held at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles.
For the Washington D.C. native who began attending her neighborhood Boys & Girls Club at age eight, it was an unexpected and thrilling outcome to her quest representing her local Club, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, in the national competition. The National Youth of the Year is selected from among six finalists representing the 4 million young people who are members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America nationwide.
"The best way I can describe it as being in shock--I was in tears," said the 18-year-old Haddox-Rossiter as she relived hearing her name announced and being swarmed with congratulations from her fellow finalists. "But I got to give thanks to all of the people who had been there and supported me throughout my journey."
The oldest of three siblings, Haddox-Rossiter credits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington with helping her become more assertive and develop leadership skills. "They did a great job of getting me out of my shell...and encouraging me to interact with other young people and take part in mentorship programs," she said. "It gives young people a chance to be put in leadership positions, which I think is really important, especially in some of your formative years."
As the highest honor a Club member can receive, the prestigious recognition is based on leadership, volunteering and advocacy work done by the finalists who advance after being selected in local and regional competitions. For Haddox-Rossiter, her lifelong passion has been feeding the homeless and hungry with her family as well as at a food pantry run by her church where more than 400 families a week are fed.
With a passion for food policy, Haddox-Rossiter said her focus at the Glenn School is learning how to create lasting policy change in urban areas, especially her hometown. "I love volunteering, I think there's a great value in being on the ground but also partnering it with making better laws and policies," she said. "I should be working in the communities that are most affected by these policies and seeing what they want and need."
Although her lifelong dream is to someday be President of the United States, Haddox-Rossiter said her focus is more rooted in policy than politics. "I'm looking to food insecurity issues, I'm looking at education equity and opportunity attainment in D.C.," she said. "A lot of that is going to be rooted in policy work but there will be politics that comes with it."
Following her selection, Asha and her family got the VIP treatment including an all-expense-paid trip to Universal Studios, an interview segment on Access Hollywood with Mario Lopez, and tickets to the L.A. Rams game including a special meet and greet with star offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth - the NFL Man of the Year and an on-air broadcast feature with FOX Sports.
"Asha is someone who empowers others just by being herself," said Eliza Lynch, spokeswoman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "She is so driven and passionate and looking to make a change in her world. Being able to have her as a voice for kids and teens across America is a huge privilege for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America."
Along with the coveted title, Haddox-Rossiter was awarded a $50,000 scholarship, a $5,000 gift card from Kolh's, and a new Toyota Corolla. However, Haddox-Rossiter won't be getting her new wheels until sometime this spring--a fortunate break considering she still needs to get her driver's license. "Now, I have a really good reason," she said with a laugh.