Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley named Mason Miltenberger its 2024 Youth of Year during a ceremony filled with town dignitaries on Tuesday morning. Mason has been a member of the Club for nearly eight years and told the audience of his growth and maturity as his involvement with Boys & Girls Clubs grew.
He is the son of Allison Cruse and Aaron Miltenberger. His dad, Aaron, is executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley. Mason will now compete in the state competition for Boys & Girls Clubs in Colorado.
The winner of the Boys & Girls Clubs SLV Youth of the Year is awarded a scholarship to attend Adams State.
Here is the speech Mason gave in accepting the award:
Good morning, I am Mason Miltenberger. Thank you for this chance to come before you and share my story.
I was born and raised in the San Luis Valley. Surrounded by mountains, this alpine valley desert is a haven for culture, food and innovation. Growing up in the Valley has taught me the importance of community in a small town, in the ways people come together to accomplish goals and support one another.
I grew up on a small micro-farm outside of Alamosa that was shared with my family and our neighbors. We have goats, chickens, sheep and a garden full of veggies. My daily chores include making sure all of the animals are fed and have water as well as helping plant, water and weed the garden. Being homeschooled has given me plenty of time to work on the farm and experience life in my community from day to day, but didn’t always allow for much social interaction outside of the circle of friends I’ve had since birth.
The club was an opportunity for me to experience a piece of school life and talk to people I probably would not have otherwise. The club has been a huge part of my life, it has shown me how to respect others, lead people and helped me strengthen my social skills to where they are today.
I started going to the club almost eight years ago and it has been a home and safe space for me and many other people I know ever since. I remember when I first walked into the club, scared and overwhelmed by the new faces and loud noises. I felt lost, until two kids I didn’t know approached me and asked if I was new. I said “yes” and they invited me to their table and thanks to those two kids, who are now close friends of mine, I felt a strong sense of belonging.
One of my goals, at the club and in life, has been to make sure other people feel included the same way I did that day. As scared as I was when I first went to the club. I quickly found a home there and many good friends I still talk to. It didn’t take long for me to realize I wanted to spend a lot of time at the club and get to know all the kids. The Boys and Girls club brings people together, regardless of their background, and I want to represent that, whether or not I get picked for youth of the year.
If I get picked for youth of the year I will use my voice and story to inspire those around me by striving to make everyone feel included and bring all of the different and unique people on this planet together. I will advocate for diverse learning opportunities, both in and out of classrooms, and show people that you don’t have to come from a normal background to make it and make a difference in your communities, cities, and countries.
If I am chosen I will use this platform to learn more about this diverse world we live in and bring people together. The club has been a place where I have learned to grow, change and be with other kids who are also trying to figure this life out.
And life is easier to figure out together.