EVANSTON — “Grit means determination. … Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” 

With those words, Evanston Youth Club Board Vice-Chair Tim Beppler opened the sixth annual Evanston Youth Club Fundraising Dinner and Awards Program on Friday, May 10. This year’s theme? Grit. 

Beppler, along with fellow speakers Loretta Howieson-Kallas, board treasurer, and Kevin Kallas, board chair, spoke of the invaluable role the club plays in the lives of young people in the community. A visibly emotional Howieson-Kallas said the club provides stability and safety for many kids who may not have stability or safety in their homes. Beppler said club staff make an incredible difference in the lives of Evanston youth. 

Following dinner prepared and served by club members, Kallas introduced the four finalists in the Youth of the Year Contest, which is awarded to one club member following a competitive process that includes an essay, an impromptu interview and a speech on the theme of the year. Kallas first introduced last year’s Youth of the Year, Aryana Little.

Little opened her remarks with a superhero quote, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Little said being named Youth of the Year, complete with the responsibility that accompanied that title, became her superpower. She also compared the club itself to a superhero, with power to give to all kids who attend. 

The first of the four finalists to speak was Nayeli Gonzalez, who referred to the Evanston Youth Club as her second home, a place where she learned to treat everyone with respect and recognize that it’s not possible to know each person’s individual struggles. 

Finalist Tanner Massey spoke of how the club had helped him change his behavior and resist negative influences, including drinking alcohol and partying. Massey said he realized he was heading in a destructive direction and went to the club hoping to talk with someone. “I talked to Holly (Slade-West). Most of the kids just call her Mom,” he said. “She’s the reason I stopped making bad choices.” 

Araceli Mota said going to the club had taught her about friendship and determination in the face of challenges. She said when she started going to the club, she was very insecure and shy, but the club had helped her develop confidence. When her father was diagnosed with cancer, she became very depressed and staff at the club helped her face that challenge. 

Finalist Jason Russell spoke about the loss of both of his parents — his father when he was only 9 years old and then his mother five years ago. After getting into legal trouble and being expelled last year, Russell said he felt completely hopeless. However, with the help of the club and his aunt, he’s now on track to graduate at the end of this month and join the military shortly. 

Contest judge Ron Wild said he was honored to be judging and said the youth in the room were inspiring. Noting that all four finalists would receive some type of recognition, Wild announced the Best Public Speaker Award was bestowed on Massey for his public speaking skills and the light in his eyes. 

First-time judge Dave Huggins, who said he admired the heart and will of all the contestants, announced Gonzalez was the recipient of the Best Interview Award and Mota the recipient of the Best Grit Speech Award. 

ShanDee Welling, also emotional, then announced Russell as the winner of the Youth of the Year Contest. Welling said, although faced with hardship, Russell had chosen to use grit and determination to overcome those obstacles, noting he even mentors other youth and had chosen to give back to the club. 

Russell receives a $500 award, while the other three finalists each received $150. 

Following the awards, keynote speaker Doyle Trout addressed those in attendance. Trout, four-time Nebraska state wrestling championship, was involved in a car accident during his senior year in high school that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. 

Trout said he had to show grit not only in recovering physically from the accident but to recover mentally and emotionally as well. He said he felt very alone afterward, full of regret over the simple mistake of driving too fast while fiddling with the radio. He had to use mental toughness to stop feeling sorry for himself, stay on track to graduate with his class, go on to college and even start wrestling again. 

“Everybody has a ‘losing their leg’ kind of moment when they face obstacles,” said Trout, who claimed he wouldn’t have learned his life’s purpose if not for the accident and the lessons it taught him. Trout said his message to youth was to encourage them to find their purpose and do something every day to work toward that purpose. He also told the young people, “Take experiences in life for what they are because there’s always something to learn.” 

“Live life cowboy tough,” was his closing statement. 

Club CEO Holly Slade-West closed the evening following a musical performance by club members. She said there are enormous challenges facing young people in the community, including poverty, drug and alcohol use and more.

“Our kids are facing challenges nobody should face,” she said. 

After explaining that club expenses come to approximately $25,000 per month as enrollment continues to increase to record-breaking levels, a tearful Slade-West said, “We must work together to fight the battle. Maybe we can show more kindness, maybe we can show more grit.” 

Following the evening, Slade-West said club staff are incredibly grateful for the community support.

“It was inspiring for me to watch how each of the club members worked a little harder, held their heads up a little higher and felt important because there were donors and supporters there believing in them,” she said.