Toyota Financial Services awards new Toyota to Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Youth of the Year winner

Toyota Financial Services (TFS), as part of its Making Life Easier for YOUth initiative, recently awarded a new Corolla to the 2012-13 Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BCGA) National Youth of the Year winner Trei Dudley. Dudley was joined by Club teens from Boys & Girls
Club of Lawrence, where she was a member for 10 years and worked as a junior staffer, as well as Club teens from nearby Boys & Girls Club of Wyandotte County.  Representatives from Toyota and the Lawrence community, including Mayor Michael Dever, also attended the event.

National Youth of the Year is BGCA's premier recognition for teen Club members who have made outstanding contributions to their family, school, community and local Club while overcoming personal obstacles. Nominations begin at the Club and continue through the state, regional and national levels.  Participants are chosen on local and state levels, with five regional winners meeting each September in Washington, D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. Five judges individually interview each candidate and select the national winner.

"Trei embodies the spirit of the Youth of the Year program," said Al Smith, Group Vice-President, TFS Service Operations & Corporate Planning. "She has been a mentor for other students and worked to improve her community all while overcoming obstacles and maintaining high academic standards. Toyota is proud to join with BGCA in support of such an extraordinary young woman."

The oldest of eight children, Dudley overcame poverty and domestic violence through support from Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and her community.  Her mother, Cathy Brittain, attended the vehicle presentation and expressed her appreciation for the new car.

"When your kids are little and you're living day to day, you wonder how their futures will turn out, how you can make things better for them," she said. "I will forever be thankful to Toyota for all they have done for Trei. With Toyota's support, her future is so much brighter."

Dudley is a graduate of Free State High School in Lawrence and attends the University of Arkansas, majoring in business.

Posted in: Al Smith,BCGA,Boys and Girls Clubs of America,Cathy Brittain,Corolla,International,Michael Dever,National Youth of the Year,TFS,Toyota,Toyota Financial Services,Trei Dudley,United States