NEW YORK CITY – Eleven teens representing Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont will vie for the title of Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s 2005 Northeast Regional Youth of the Year during a competition on Thursday, July 29, at Gracie Mansion. Maine’s Youth of the Year is Andrew Bardier of Auburn.

Each state finalist will speak about their Boys and Girls Club experiences during a special luncheon following the individual competition, where they will be judged during interviews. The winner will be announced at the close of the luncheon.

The Reader’s Digest Foundation awards each state finalist a $1,000 college scholarship and each regional finalist a $5,000 scholarship. The regional finalist will compete for National Youth of the Year. The winner will receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship and will be installed by President George W. Bush at a ceremony in the Oval Office in September.