NC Youth of the Year: 2011

Caleb Thomas: 2011 North Carolina Youth of the Year

The 2011 North Carolina Youth of the Year Celebration was held in Rocky Mount on March 25-26, 2011 with 28 candidates for consideration for the top honor. After two days of the judging process, it was announced that our 2011 Youth of the Year is Caleb Thomas with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County.

Caleb is 17 years old and has been a member of the Wake Forest Club for over eight years. Caleb’s early childhood was governed by instability. His father left the family when he was just a few weeks old. His parents never married, and the mother’s sole income was a waitressing job she worked in the evenings. With money scarce, his mother depended on friends, families and boyfriends to house her and Caleb. His sister was born when he was 4 years old, which added additional financial pressure. Furthermore, in a five year period, they moved eight times and Caleb attended eight different elementary schools. Caleb even recounts a memory of the family being kicked out of a boyfriend’s house on Christmas Day. At age 11, his mother had to call on him to look after his 6 year old sister while she worked in the evenings. Caleb took on this responsibility and quickly learned how to look after her – including cooking her dinner, helping with homework, getting her ready for bed and looking after her immediate and emotional needs.

About this time, Caleb and his mom found the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Clubs, where he has been actively involved with the Torch Club, Keystone Club, soccer teams, hockey teams and may other programs at the Club. He has served as Treasurer of the Keystone Club and is currently the President where he is developing and improving his leadership skills. With his love of sports, he has also refereed games for younger members and coached teams – one of the he coached made it to the Wake Forest regional championship. His service to the Club has even extended to wearing a hot turkey suit during several events and fundraisers around Thanksgiving!

At age 14, he began working in the summer at Camp BTI as a counselor and a lifeguard. These duties included being in charge of nearly 100 children, ages 6-12, and he became their comforter and guide. He recounts the time he was awakened at 2am by a crying and homesick camper, which provided him an opportunity to comfort the child and avoid a late night call to distant parents. Caleb also recognized the needs of many of his elderly neighbors and shares his time to mow their lawns, rake leaves, water plants, and even some occasional technology assistance.

Caleb is a senior at Wake Forest – Rolesville High School, where he currently maintains a 3.25 average while loading himself with AP History and Honors Chemistry, English, Algebra II, Spanish III and Spanish IV. He has served as the Vice President of the Latin Club and co-captain to the soccer team while maintaining his grades. During his sophomore year, he was team leader of a four-person team that went on to win first place in a statewide technology camp. That experience helped teach him time management, leadership, problem solving, communication skills, and presentation skills. He clearly values education is determined to gain as much as possible from his high school experience.

In Caleb’s essay on his Club, he note:
“As time progressed, I found that the Boys & Girls Club became a home away from home. The staff always wanted to help and have fun and I made tons of friends that I got to see everyday. The staff were more than just people to have fun with; instead, they became mentors, people to look up to and seek advice from. I solemnly believe those mentors changed my life in the best possible way; they taught me how to take pride in myself and my community. I learned the value of hard work and reward. Now as my time in the Boys & Girls Club comes to what seems to be a close, I do not worry. I know that everything the Boys & Girls Club taught me will live on forever with me; until the day I will pass it down to my own children.”

Caleb plans to attend North Carolina State University where he will begin his work towards becoming a dentist and starting his own practice. His wish is to “become an independent business owner and community leader, true to his own beliefs and ethical standards.” While Caleb had a rough start in life, he now has a great future ahead of him.