Tiffany Atwood named Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holland

Shy second-grader Tiffany Atwood probably wouldn’t have expected that in 10 years, she’d be standing before a roomful of people, giving a speech.

But that’s exactly what the Holland High School junior did Tuesday night at the Midtown Center.

In fact, Atwood was recognized Tuesday for being a confident, outgoing role model — one of many her contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holland.

Atwood received the Youth of the Year award for her decade of involvement with the club.

During the ceremony, Atwood shared her story of how the club shaped her life.

“As a young child, I felt small and insecure,” Atwood said. “But I longed to be heard.”

A second-grade Atwood listened to an older girl speak about having dreams and setting goals, and decided she wanted to be as “special, confident and important” as that girl, she said.

So Atwood pushed herself to participate in as many Boys & Girls Club activities as she could. Her confidence grew, she said.

“I finally found a community where I was significant,” she said.

Atwood was one of three finalists for the 2012 Youth of the Year award. Runners-up were Keanu Marquez, a West Ottawa High School sophomore, and Diego Rivera, an eighth-grade student at Harbor Lights Middle School.