Local Clubs name 2021 Youth of the Year
Each year the staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County choose one of its members who they believe exemplifies the qualities they try to teach as the Jeff Mattingly Foundation Youth of the Year.
This year’s selection is Jaden Appling, a 16-year-old sophomore at Benton High School who has been involved with the Clubs for two years.
“We think she is really special,” said Krystal Askew, marketing and special events coordinator.
She said Appling exemplifies qualities such as leading a healthy lifestyle, being a mentor and always seeking to help whenever and wherever she can.
Before joining the Clubs, Appling and her two sisters would sit at their grandfather’s shop after school. A friend who was already a member invited Appling to a teen night. She loved it.
Chief Operating Officer Heath Massey gave her a tour of the Riverside Park facility.
She and her sisters joined.
She loves the art room and the programs. She really loved to get the chance to take part in archery, saying she imagined as Merida, the archery loving princess from the Disney movie “Brave,” who, like Appling, has red hair.
Now she and her sisters attend the Clubs on a regular basis.
“It means everything to me,” Appling said of being chosen.
She said she didn’t think they would choose a sophomore or someone who doesn’t have a lot of money or isn’t the most popular.
“It gives me hope,” she said. “I have been through a lot in my life.”
When she graduates in a few years, Appling dreams of attending Ua-little Rock where she wants to pursue a degree in social work. She plans to become a clinical social worker who works with children and teens.
“I want to help people,” she said. “I want to bring good to the world.”
As Youth of the Year, Appling will get a $1,000 scholarship for college and she will compete against others who were chosen as Youth of the Year by their Clubs. Due to the pandemic, the contest will once again be held virtually.
She will give a speech on the topic of the Clubs.
The winner of the state contest gets money. Askew said the amount awarded depends on the donations given for the event.
Along with her Clubs involvement, Appling is first chair clarinet in the Benton High School band, president of the Art Club, president of the Book Club and volunteers at the animal shelter when she can.
Appling loves music. She enjoys singing and dancing, though she said she doesn’t do either well. As a creative person, she loves art.
She even offers her own art at the Gallery Walk in Hot Springs. She sells wood burning, painting and custom art.
She considers herself a nerd who loves video games and likes to root for the underdog.
She believes taking part in the Clubs has not only benefited her, but also been good for her sisters, Keylee, 15, and Aubrie, 9. All three sisters live with their grandparents, Shelley and Spencer Elton.
Appling said she raised her sisters when their mother was not around and she loves seeing her sisters making friends and engaged in everything the Clubs has to offer.
“It goes back to that sense of hope,” she said.
Aubrey, Appling said, enjoys basketball at the Clubs and is “the sweetest kid.”
She believes the Clubs have brought out good in Aubrey.
Keylee, she said, was not interested in things and now is friends with everyone and gets involved. Keylee helps her sister in the art room and the front desk.
Appling loves that the Clubs makes her sisters smile.
She wants her sisters to learn what she knows, that no matter where a person comes from, they can always make something of themselves.
Askew hopes being chosen Youth of the Year will help Appling with more opportunities going forward. She can’t wait to see who Appling becomes in the future.
“She is going to do great things,” Askew said.