‘City
of
Roses’
Happy
New Year!
Volume XLVIII • Number 1
www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • January 2, 2019
Power to the
Workers
Fast food
employees grow
movement for
rights and wages
See Metro, page 9
Established in 1970
Committed to Cultural Diversity
photo by S ean b aScom
Youth leaders from Boys & Girls Clubs in the Portland metro area are recognized for their community and family achievements, academic success and strong moral
character. Teya Shearer from Benson High School (second from right) was named the Boys & Girls Club’s Metro Youth of the Year for the second time.
Benson senior recognized
again for achievements
Regence Boys & Girls Club member and Benson Poly-
technic High School senior Teya Shearer is the 2019 Boys
and Girls Club Metro Youth of the Year, marking her sec-
ond year of holding the prestigious title.
Judges heard speeches and conducted one-on-one in-
terviews with each of the six candidates before ultimately
deciding on Shearer for the coveted award during a lun-
cheon ceremony last month. The decision came after each
candidate gave moving speeches to the packed crowd.
Alex Molden, former NFL star, gave an inspiring
speech about his time as a Club member to kick off the
event.
Shearer volunteers with Health Occupations Students
of America, Rosa Parks Elementary School, the Charles
Youth
of the
Year
Jordan Community Center and at her Regence Boys and
Girls Club. She is also a member of the Women’s Empow-
erment Club at Benson and plans to pursue a career in the
healthcare field, starting with the pursuit of a degree from
Occidental College on her way to becoming a doctor or
nurse.
During the Youth of the Year celebration, Shearer edged
out five other outstanding local members for the title, in-
cluding Bryan Alvarado (Inukai Family Club), LeShawn
Willingham (Wattles Club), Johnathan Slade (Rockwood
Club), Emily Valencia (Inukai Club), and Alexa Ramirez
(Wattles Club).
Each of these exceptional youth demonstrate the Clubs’
core values and will each receive $500 scholarships to
help towards their own academic success post-graduation.
Shearer will receive a $1,000 scholarship and she will
move on to the statewide Youth of the Year selection pro-
cess this March in Salem.