Two years ago Katie Wilton joined the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) affiliate at Joint Base Lewis-McChord because she thought it would be a good place to go to after school.

Her decision proved fortuitous.

"It has been an enlightening experience," she wrote in an email. "I have learned so much after I started coming to the Teen Center, and I am much more appreciative of what I have in life."

At the recent BGCA's 2018 Washington State Youth of the Year awards banquet, Wilton was selected as the Washington State Military Youth of the Year award winner.

"This is quite an honor," continued Wilton.

"I had to fill out an application about myself, write four essays on my club experience, my military experience, my personal brands and my vision for America's youth, give a three-minute speech and a 10-minute interview."

For her mother, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Nouansy Wilton, her daughter's accomplishment reflects well on the BGCA.

"The club has allowed my child to broaden her horizons and take risks that she normally would not take while being in a safe environment," wrote Wilton's mom, in an email. "From participation in leadership retreats to volunteer opportunities at JBLM, the club has given her a voice to engage with her community."

For more than two decades, the BGCA has partnered with the Department of Defense to provide nationally recognized, evidence-based programming for thousands of military youth around the world.

The BGCA promotes service to community and family; it encourages academic success; it works to instill strong moral character; it sharpens life goals; and it values poise and public speaking ability.

For the next year, Wilton's daughter will serve as an ambassador for the BGCA and its members at JBLM.

"I will be the voice for teens and youth on base," continued Wilton, a junior at Harrison Preparatory School in Lakewood. "For example, I will go to the annual Army Family Action Plan meeting for military teens on teen issues that we collectively want to see the military change, and I will continue to run Keystone, the community service group at the Teen Zone."

According to Daniela Suarez, the 2015 Military Youth of the Year winner, Wilton will learn a great deal.

"Not one moment had gone by while I was ambassador that wasn't exciting; every step of the way proved to be a new adventure," Suarez wrote in an email. "Being the ambassador was one of the busiest and most exciting years of my life thus far; just remember to enjoy the process."

In being selected as this year's winner, Wilton also received a $5,000 scholarship check. Her goal after graduating from high school is to study biology or economics.

As she prepares for her role as JBLM's Boys & Girls Club ambassador, Wilton concluded with a message for her fellow teens. "Never let the obstacles in your life get you down; the only thing that stands in the way of your goals and what you want in life are the limits you place on yourself."

For more information about BGCA at JBLM, visit jblmmwr.com/cyss_teen_zone.html, or stop by the Teen Zone at 6397 Garcia Blvd., Lewis Main.