Skylar Pitts
Sandusky’s Skylar Pitts lauded for leadership, good character
By LAURA COLLINS | Friday March 30 2007, 10:58am
Register photos/LUKE WARK ABOVE: Boys and Girls Club members, from left, Hannah Love, eight, Skylar Pitts, 13, and Unique Adcock, nine, all of Sandusky, play a computer game together in the game room of the Sandusky Boys and Girls Club Thursday.
Skylar was recently voted the area’s Youth of the Year.
Skylar Pitts introduces himself as Youth of the Year, a title of which he is proud. But he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to earn it-he’s just being himself. “If someone asks me to do something, I’m going to do it” he said. “I like helping. It’s something I was raised to do and it’s something that I continue to do.”
This month, Skylar, 13, was named the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year.
The award is given to the youth who demonstrates leadership qualities; has good attendance and participation; does community service; and is a good student.
Gill Vaughn, Boys and Girls Club executive director, said Skylar was an easy choice for Youth of the Year.
“The kids look up to him and he’s always there for them,” Vaughn said. “When I was talking to the staff, his name ran throughout the whole staff. He was one of the first names that came up for recognition.”
Skylar, a student at Adams Junior High, said he didn’t know he was even being considered for the award.
“They took my picture and I was like, ‘What is this for?’ They said, ‘You’ll find out.’ I really didn’t know, they just brought it up to me,” he said.
Skylar began attending the Boys and Girls Club two years ago.
“My friend introduced me to here. I just like it,” Skylar said. “I like all the games and stuff. The staff is nice, too. I came here ever since.”
Skylar is a member of several clubs within the Boys and Girls Club including, the music, photography and computer clubs.
He also takes part in club field trips, scavenger hunts, community service and inhouse games.
“I like playing pool. Some of my friends from school come here and we like playing group games,” Skylar said.
Skylar was first nominated for Youth of the Week for the week of Oct. 16.
“That was my first time being nominated. I didn’t really think much about it, but then I got chosen for Youth of the Month for November,” he said. He considers himself a role model for the younger members of the club and students. “He’s really a good kid and a good student that tries to do the right thing every time,” said Robert Toney, Adams Junior High principal. Skylar was honored earlier in the month at the Boys and Girls Club Annual Awards Recognition Banquet. “He was excited and his grandmother, who he lives with, was excited,” Vaughn said. “I don’t know if he was surprised because he is a good kid and deserving of it.” Skylar was awarded a plaque that is proudly displayed in the living room at his home. “I was going to put it in my room, but my grandma said, ‘I want everyone to see it, you should be so proud,’” Skylar said.