Branson teen Orlin Harrison was recently honored by Rep. Nita Jane Ayres at the Missouri State Youth of the Year ceremony in Jefferson City. Harrison was named the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Youth of the Year in 2010.
Orlin Harrison, 14, a student at Branson High School, was named the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks 2010 Youth of the Year based on his strong character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. Though not chosen for the State Youth of the Year title, he had the chance to receive a proclamation from Rep. Nita Jane Ayres (R-62), tour the state capitol building, meet Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon, and take part in a luncheon ceremony at the Missouri Governor's Mansion.
Harrison was born into an unstable home racked by drug addiction. His memories are filled with images of neglect and chaos, a common reality of children of addicts everywhere.
When Harrison was two-years-old, his mother lost custody of him to his maternal grandmother only to kidnap him several years later. During the getaway, the car they were riding in crashed and caught fire. He and his mother were not injured, but emotional damage took its toll on him. He became withdrawn and distrustful of adults, and despite living under grandparents Rhonda and Tony Hudson's watchful eye, he lived in constant fear of being kidnapped again.
Hoping to erase some of the scars, his grandmother decided to enroll him in the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks (BGCO) where he could interact with positive role models, receive help with his schoolwork and participate in confidence-building activities.
Since joining the Club in 2007, Harrison has learned how to trust and respect adults in addition to his grandparents. He also has become a mentor to other club kids, many with similar backgrounds.
Today, Harrison is a member of the National Honor Society, the BHS baseball team and the junior varsity football team. In addition to the work he does at the BGCO Teen Center, he volunteers at the Merriam Woods Police Department and at a local nursing home where his older brother lives due to permanent injuries he sustained in a car accident. Harrison also shares the responsibility of caring for his younger brother who has medical problems, and his infant sister, both of whom also live in the custody of the Hudsons.
Harrison said the club has had a significant impact on his life. "I really do make better choices since I've been coming," he said. "The staff keeps me focused on my goals. Mr. Ben (Teen Director) helped me make the baseball team. We practiced for weeks. He even makes sure I visit colleges so I can decide where I want to go after high school. That's what I really love about the Club - people really care about me."
Harrison calls the club his second home. "Actually, it's my second family," he said. "Ever since I started going to the club, I feel safe, I feel protected, and I feel that I can be a regular teenager. I also get the chance to give back to the community. I enjoy helping and it's really cool to be able to help clean up the parks or feed the hungry. It makes me feel worthwhile."
About the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks
In 2009, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks served more than 1,200 school-age youth through after-school, summer and outreach programs at its three locations. In addition to quality programs and activities, club members are able to receive a nutritious meal or snack, academic assistance and age-appropriate personal growth opportunities for only $25 per school year.
David Arney, president of the BGCO Board of Directors said Harrison and other youth like him exemplify both the need for local clubs and the positive impact they have.
"These kids will shape the future of our community and our world," Arney said. "What that future looks like depends on whether we let these kids repeat the cycle of drug addiction and abuse, or we continue to provide them with local programs that steer them towards a better life." Go Back | 
