Elgin High School senior Damaryan Benton joined the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin at age 6.
More than a decade later, Benton is not only still in the club but representing it when he was chosen the 2019 Illinois Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Benton’s dedication to the program — both as a participant and a mentor to children — were among the reasons Benton won the state honor, which comes with a $5,000 scholarship.
“When it came time to call out the winner, I was so nervous,” said Benton, 17. “You are representing your club, you want to do the best you can. When my name was called out, so many emotions ran through my head.”
The Boys and Girls Club of Elgin has given Benton so many things over the years, he said — his first sports jersey, his first ride on a roller coaster, braces for his teeth free of charge.
More importantly, it’s helped him through the highs and lows of his life so far. When his father died when he was in fourth grade, causing his grades to slide, the club helped him to eventually rebound and get back on track, Benton said.
When his success at school made him a target for bullies, some of whom called him “Oreo,” he found support from the club kept him going, he said.
“Being a successful black man is not normal,” Benton said about why he thinks he was targeted.
Benton told his story about what the Boys and Girls Club has meant in his life during the speech he gave to the judges choosing the winner of the state youth award in Springfield earlier this month. He was evaluated on that as well as on his school grades; service to his local club, community and family; life goals; character; and public speaking skills.
“The Boys and Girls Club was the one place I could grow, see myself grow, and not have any labels,” Benton said.
Cathy Russell, president/CEO of the Elgin club, said she was not surprised Benton received the honor.
“He has such a charming personality, he really stands out as a leader,” Russell said. “He made me feel welcome (when I arrived six years ago). He’s willing to do anything to help. He’s very humble, yet stands out to you just by who he is.”
The Boys and Girls Club of America founded its Youth of the Year program in 1947, honoring participants at the local, state, regional and national levels. As a result of his win, Benton will now compete alongside other state winners July 18 for the Midwest Regional Youth of the Year in Chicago. The winner of that competition moves on to the national Youth of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., in September.
“My birthday is on July 20. Winning (the regional competition) would be the best birthday day gift ever,” Benton said.
Set to graduate from Elgin High School this spring, Benton will attend Judson University in Elgin on a full, four-year scholarship. He plans to study business administration and communications with a career goal to ultimately work in administration for a nonprofit organization.
“Through this program, I genuinely realized what my purpose in life is,” Benton said. “They helped me realize I want to give back, show that impact to kids in the future.”
