INDIAN ISLAND – Brittney Paul, 18, has been selected as the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year.

The Youth of the Year program, administered by Boys and Girls Clubs of America and nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions by a club member to family, school, community and Boys and Girls Club, and who has overcome personal challenges and obstacles.

“We are thrilled that we can honor amazing teens like Brittney Paul for their dedication and hard work,” said Carla Fearon, director of the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club.

Brittney competed with other Boys and Girls Club nominees at the State Capitol in Augusta on May 10. She has been a club member since 2000 when the club opened its doors. Brittney has become a role model to other club members. Through club membership, she has competed on the canoe team and has won many awards in Maine and at the national level.

In 2006 Brittney completed Service Learning in the Boys and Girls Club as a mentor to younger club members by assisting with the after school homework help program known as “Power Hour.” Brittney also worked in the club during the summer as a youth worker.

Brittney will attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent in the nursing program. She said she hopes to “help others in need and make a positive difference in others’ lives as a nurse.”