"Matt Cyra has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County for nine years, but he says he really began taking advantage of what the club offers the past two years.

In that short time, he’s made an impact on the club, having been named the 2011 Youth of the Year by a panel of board members and staff members at the Boys & Girls Club. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to a club member’s family, school, community and the club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles.

Cyra, 15, of Junction City, and a ninth-grader at Ben Franklin Junior High, recently attended a ceremony in Madison to represent Portage County at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wisconsin Youth of the Year event, where he received his award from Wisconsin First Lady Tonette Walker.

Cyra also recently was awarded a $1,200 college scholarship from the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County’s Board of Directors.

“Matt is an example of an extraordinary youth man who has overcome obstacles and challenges in his life and is now being recognized for his character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. We are very proud of Matt,” said Kevin Quevillion, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club, in a statement.

Cyra said he began coming to the Boys & Girls Club after his father Tim became ill and was hospitalized and his mother Dana would bring him to town to visit him.

“I was going to school in Junction City, and my mom would bring me in on her way to work,” Cyra said. “I went over to my grandma’s for a while (after visiting my dad), but after a while, I was looking for something else to do, so I decided to come to the club.”

Today, Cyra is at the club every day after school. He said he likes hanging out with his friends, as well as playing the guitar and the harmonica. 

He also takes the opportunity to help the community as part of the Keystone Club, a teen leadership development program focused on academic success, career preparation and community service. Cyra said he enjoys projects such as donating time at The Salvation Army, picking up trash or fundraising for the club.

“It’s something that I wouldn’t necessarily have thought about joining up for, but I really like doing it and helping out in the community,” Cyra said.

Cyra said he would like to use the college scholarship to attend film school. He said he likes performing on stage and plans to get involved in activities such as drama and video production along with classes such as creative writing when he goes to Stevens Point Area Senior High next year."