As a kindergartner, James Butler, Jr., put together dozens of Lego sets.
In high school, he liked “putting things together” and enjoyed team projects in physics and chemistry while being active in Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, as a mentor and a projects organizer, he said.
On Wednesday, James, 17, was recognized as the organization's David Wehrmeister Club Youth of the Year and the winner of the organization’s top prize — the Carson Family Scholarship, which provides full college tuition and expenses. He has been accepted at the University of Toledo, where he plans to major in civil engineering.
“I am grateful, and I am hyped up. … It’s a big accomplishment, and I am proud of myself,” James said in an interview, adding that he is going to continue to work at least as hard in college as he did in high school.
“I’ve got to stay locked in,” he said.
James was one of several top award recipients of more than 150 members recognized during the annual Awards Night Program presented by Buckeye Broadband at McTigue Elementary School. About 250 people attended.
His co-volunteer in the clubs’ tech team program, Courtney Jones, a Start High School senior who is also 17, received a John E. Gunckel Award certificate in recognition of her service. Presented to one member of each club, the award was named after the clubs’ founder. It does not carry a scholarship.
Courtney said she, too, was proud of getting recognized.
“I am very appreciative of this award that I'm receiving tonight, and I would like to thank the Boys and Girls Club for all of the opportunities and the wisdom that they have given me throughout the three years that I have been working here with the children,” Courtney said.
She plans to attend Kent State University and major in fashion merchandising with a minor in marketing.
James Ravas, the area clubs’ president and CEO, said “it’s vitally important” to honor the top club members because many of these children don't have support systems at home or they don't have good positive affirmation at home.”
“And that's what the Boys and Girls Clubs are here for — to help enable these kids to be the best people they can,” Mr. Ravas said. “... We need to let them know that when they do something well, they should keep doing it well, point out what excellence is, and then help them achieve it.”
Mr. Ravas said that since the pandemic the clubs’ biggest challenge was “recovery and bringing the kids back.” Not only has the organization been able to reopen all of its clubs and “bring the kids back,” but has since opened three new clubs in 2023, he said.
The top accolades Wednesday included the Organizational Youth of the Year, the Carson Family Scholarship, the John E. Gunckel Awards, and the Young Leader Awards. This year’s Organizational Youth of the Year is Tamyah Griffin, a Waite High School senior.
The John E. Gunckel Award is named in memory of the founder of Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo and the Toledo Newsboys. It is given to a high school member at each club who “consistently participates in club programming and goes above and beyond in showcasing good character and service to the club,” according to event organizers. The Young Leader Awards are presented to teenage members who are “active in club programming, display a positive self-image, and are good role models for younger members.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo serves thousands of Toledo youth each year at its eight locations across the city.
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