"Dan O’Donnell says the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County has not only helped him feel more settled, but it has given him direction for his future, as well.

O’Donnell, named the organization’s Youth of the Year for 2012, has been a regular at the club since his family returned to the area about a year ago. Overall, he’s been a member for about four years, attending clubs in other cities where he has lived.

“I come every day they are open during the week,” said O’Donnell, 16, of Junction City. “When I first walked in the door, I felt a connection to the people here, and it’s why I want to stay involved.”

Dan’s mother, Laurin O’Donnell, said the family moved from the Amherst area about six years ago to Nevada, and then moved to Appleton for about a year before returning to central Wisconsin. Dan is homeschooled, and she said the club has been a great opportunity for him to interact with his peers.

“Whenever we lived in this area, he would always be at the club,” Laurin O’Donnell said. “Growing up, we were moving a lot and he had a lot of transition, so I’m grateful he had (Boys & Girls Clubs) as a stable place for him.”

In order to receive the award, a member must complete an application that shows leadership and moral character, and also describe his or her goals after high school graduation. Jaime Kenowski, director of teen services for the club, said the award also recognizes a member who has had to overcome obstacles in their personal life.

“He’s always ready to participate, he’s always ready to help the staff and the younger members, and he has a great attitude,” Kenowski said.

While at the club, O’Donnell said he enjoys participating in activities such as cooking club, along with just hanging out and playing instruments or ping pong. He said the club also has helped him focus on a goal of going to college and studying arts and music, something his mother added she has noticed over the last year.


“It’s inspired him to look ahead and see what’s out there,” Laurin O’Donnell said. “He’s always been into things like art, music and theater, and now he knows it’s something he really wants to do.”

As part of winning his award, O’Donnell represented the club in Madison at the Wisconsin Youth of the Year event in March and received an award from Wisconsin First Lady Tonette Walker."