Tucson Boys and Girls Clubs

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When Tessa Kozlowski first started going to the Boys & Girls Club five years ago, the Tucson teen did so reluctantly.

She had been placed in a group home because her mother was mentally ill and unable to care for her, so she was required to go to the club for recreational activity.

Little did she know that her involvement in the club would lead to local and statewide recognition.

On Tuesday, the 17-year-old was named the Arizona Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, which came with more than $2,000 in scholarship money.

After accepting the award at a ceremony in Phoenix, Tessa — a Tucson Magnet High School senior — said she owes who she has become to the club.

“I had a really rough time before, but when I’m at the club I know I’m safe and I can look to the staff to confide in them,” Tessa said. “I feel that the values and morals I have today were learned through the club and I am honored to represent all of the clubs in Arizona.”

It was no easy task, though, Tessa said. The application process involved writing a number of essays and presenting them to judges.

Tessa won the city competition and was awarded scholarships to Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, she said.

After that, she along with more than a dozen others competed for the title of State Youth of the Year, which Tessa took on Tuesday. The prize was $2,800 in scholarships.

In July, Tessa will head to Disneyland for the regional competition and the overall national winner will receive $15,000 in educational scholarships.

The winner will also be congratulated by the president of the United States at a ceremony at the White House.

Tessa plans on attending Pima and wants to become a police officer, she said. She plans on majoring in social work and minoring in criminal justice.

Tessa was adopted last June and no longer lives in a group home, she said.

“I want to win deep down, but I’m really going for experience and to represent my club,” Tessa said. “I’m very excited and happy ... I went from being in a group home to being on top of the world.”