Addie Morton Named 2006 Youth of the Year

On February 2nd, 2006, Addie Morton was honored as Wallingford Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year during a ceremony at Benaroya Hall. Addie, a junior at Ingraham High School and a 9-year veteran of WBGC, was honored along with 11 other youth, each representing one of King County’s twelve Boys & Girls Clubs. The two-hour luncheon attracted over 350 supporters, including Seattle mayor Greg Nickels.

Addie was introduced by WBGC Education Director Ethan Anderson, who spoke of Addie’s positive attitude and friendly manner. He detailed how Addie, a member with special needs, often works extra hard to overcome her physical limitations in order to participate in Club games and activities. Addie survived a stroke at age two, and even spent an entire summer at Children’s Hospital learning how to walk again, but she has overcome these challenges and grown into a lovely and loving 17-year-old girl. She participates in camps, has a job watering plants at Seattle Central Community College, and has also been in the Special Olympics the past two years – in addition to all of the time she has spent at the Club being a great Club member and leader to her peers.

At the luncheon, each Club youth gives a speech on what the Boys & Girls Club means to them. Because Addie cannot deliver this type of speech, WBGC Keystone president Alycia Regan spoke on her behalf, and delivered a speech on what Addie means to the Club. In Alycia’s words, “To say that Addie is our Youth of the Year nominee only because she represents our large special needs population would be incorrect. Addie Morton is here because she represents our Club as a whole. She is a model member that attends the Club nearly every day of the year, and never ceases to amaze me with her positive attitude, her willingness to participate despite her limitations, and her ability to make everyone feel part of the club.”

March 2006