Josh Kornbeck Named Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe

Selected among several local outstanding youth Josh Kornbeck will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the California Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. As the new Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, 16-year old Josh is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

Josh has dealt with many struggles in his life and uses these past experiences to fuel his determination for his future: to be the best that he can be, by concentrating on school, extracurricular activities, and practicing characteristic traits that will make him a better citizen such as integrity, respect, and responsibility.

If you come to a weekend event for Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe I guarantee you will see Josh Kornbeck there, volunteering and raising money for his club. In just last summer alone he helped run a snack bar for the BMX track during their state race, run a car wash at Les Schwabb during their car show, be a Junior Judge during the wooden boat show and sell waters at the boat show as well. While he is helping serve the club he is also teaching the kids that are around how to be better citizens, and better club members. During the week days at the club during the summer, he helps serve and run spaghetti feeds, teaches young members how to play baseball with their Jr. Giants program, serving and cleaning up after breakfast and lunch, helping with snack bar, Djembe drum program, and marching band drumming.

Josh has been a member at the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe for the past 9 years. While at the club he enjoys football, baseball, basketball, dodge ball, BMX, Keystone Club (a teen leadership group), and time in the computer lab. He has a strong influence over his peers and is constantly assisting the staff to better the club.

Kornbeck atteded Snap Shot Day training at Lake Tahoe Community College where took a leadership role in the field where they learned how to do water tests. According to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe leaders, Josh has always displayed great leadership skills in school. "He is a positive role model for his peers, he encourages those around him to do better, and does not hesitate to step in and motivate other students who may be struggling in some way," according to staff. "Josh is inquisitive, compassionate and involved in all aspects of the classroom. He shows strong moral character, is flexible, and responsible. Many of his past teachers feel that he is well deserving and they knew that he would have great things to come his way."

Josh will graduate from South Tahoe High School in 2016 but will start taking culinary classes at LTCC this summer. His goal is to transfer to a culinary school after completing the local courses.

If Josh wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2013, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.