SJ teen recognized as Youth of the Year

by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/7/2014 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Sitting in front of three judges, she had her doubts about the outcome; she stated a strong case, but the opposition was just as tough. She didn't think she was going to win.

"I was absolutely shocked," she said of the verdict. "It probably would not have been very professional to get out of my chair and start dancing around, so I had to keep myself composed."

Retired Master Sgt. Brian Buss' daughter wasn't on trial exactly, but her actions in the community were.

For her achievements, she was selected as Seymour Johnson's candidate for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year.

"Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys and Girls Club member can receive," explained Dawn Allen, 4th Force Support Squadron youth program manager. "As [the club's] premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year honors outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community, and Boys and Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome."

Since first getting involved in the BGCA four years ago, Buss' daughter said she uses the club's opportunities to develop into a leader and role model for her fellow peers.

"Once I started going to the Boys and Girls Club, I got involved with some other community events," Buss's daughter said. "It has slowly evolved to me finally discovering that I can do something for the world. I can make a change; my life can mean something. The Boys and Girls Club has brought so much meaning to my life."

She is currently the president of the youth center's Keystone and Teen Council, where she encourages others to advance personally, through leadership skills and community involvement. She is also involved in projects for the community soup kitchen, Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina and the Keystone National Project, which raised awareness for teen suicide prevention in 2013.

"She is a very versatile young lady," said Jasmine Carroll, 4th FSS youth director. "She is always available when you need a helping hand and knows the true meaning of responsibility and respect."

As Seymour Johnson's representative, Buss' daughter will compete against other nominees across the state for North Carolina Youth of the Year as well as Military Youth of the Year. If she wins at the state level, which will be held March 28, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship and advance to regional and then the national competition.

With each higher stage, she will be eligible to win more scholarship money to help meet her ultimate goal of achieving a degree in music therapy.

"It would be wonderful to receive a scholarship," Buss' daughter explained. "It would make life so much easier not to have so many student loans to pay off when I'm finally done with college."

As a military dependent, Buss' daughter has access to many different opportunities and resources on base, but said it's not always the easiest lifestyle. Dealing with deployments is especially strenuous, she said, because it's hard having one parent gone for months at a time.

As the eldest of three children, she has stepped up into a greater role of responsibility by helping take care of her younger siblings.

The juggling act of balancing her personal life as well as school and volunteering is difficult, she said, but her passion for being the best person she can be has set her above the rest and earned her the title of Youth of the Year.

"I have this drive to make a difference in the world," she said. "I finally know I want to do everything I can to make the biggest possible difference. It's not about me; it's about making sure the world improves while I'm here. It's about leaving the world a better place."


Editor's Note: The Boys and Girls Clubs of America is a Private Organization. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.