Janea Freeman will compete against other state youths March 27 in hopes of being named the Boys & Girls Clubs’ youth of the year in Georgia.

Freeman, 14, is a true example of an extraordinary young woman, said Demetrice Tuttle, who won the national title in 2007 and is the marketing director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Georgia.

The state title brings with it a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation, which sponsors the national competition. Youths of the year are recognized for sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. It’s the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive.

The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome, Tuttle said. The program was founded more than 60 years ago.

Freeman is a native of LaGrange and a member of the club’s performing arts unit. She is an eighth-grader at West Side Magnet School and participated in the black history program at LaGrange High School. Freeman is an avid softball player and is a violinist with the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra.

At the club, she is a junior staff member helper and works with the REAL Teens program as a videographer. She is also an affiliate of the Duke Talent Identification Program and a member of Junior University.

“Janea is a shining example of the impact that the Boys & Girls Clubs can have on the youth of this community,” said Jeteseya Dennis, interim chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of West Georgia. “She embodies the type of youth in this community who will be this nation’s future leaders.”

The winner at the state competition will compete for the title of Southeast region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship.

The five regional winners advance to Washington, D.C., in September to compete for the title of National Youth of the Year. The national winner receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the president in an Oval Office ceremony.