Youth Unmuted
Youth Unmuted is where Benton County teens grab the mic and keep it real. Hosted by teen Club member Holden, each episode mixes unfiltered energy with authentic conversations about the things that matter most, from sports and leadership to mental health, community, and the everyday ups and downs of teen life.
Along the way, Holden welcomes special guests with stories worth hearing, adding fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments to the mix. It’s not just talk; it’s laughter, hot takes, and powerful stories that show teens aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re shaping the present. Plus-Club members gain hands-on experience in media, storytelling, and leadership that sets them up for success in every part of life.
Plug in, turn it up, and discover what happens when today’s youth go completely unmuted.
Youth Unmuted
Ep. 13 - Hunger in Arkansas: Holden Faces the Reality
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Arkansas is ranked 50 out of 50 for food insecurity, and that statistic stops being “data” the moment you picture a classmate wondering where dinner will come from. We sit down with Holden J, our 2026 Youth of the Year, to talk about why hunger became his platform, what food insecurity really looks like day to day, and why it can stay hidden even in communities that look like they’re doing fine from the outside.
We get practical fast. Holden breaks down simple ways to help that don’t require a huge budget or a perfect plan: donate what you can, volunteer at a food bank, support local drives, and consider building or stocking a blessing box so families can access food and essentials with dignity. We also talk about how community partners, sponsors, and donors make youth programs possible at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, and why giving time matters just as much as giving money.
Then we switch gears with a “this or that” game, share favorite memories from trips and conferences, and reflect on how advocacy grows through friendship, mentorship, and real support. From Washington, DC conversations with senators to the everyday work of showing up for kids, the takeaway is clear: community care is not theoretical, it’s built through action.
Subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcasts, share this with someone who cares about youth leadership and fighting hunger, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Where would a blessing box help most in your community?
Welcome And Part Two Setup
SPEAKER_00Welcome back everyone. My name is Holden and I am your host for the Youth Unmuted Podcast. This is a team-led podcast with the Boys and Girls Club of Bitten County where we share unique stories that relate to today's youth. Let's get started. What is up, guys? Welcome back.
SPEAKER_03Wait, wait, wait. I'm not sure.
SPEAKER_00Oh, you're the that's my bow. I'll say you guys.
SPEAKER_03I'm the hosts. What's up, guys? Welcome back to part two of Youth Unmuted. Um, I'm here with what I think is a celebrity, Holding Jay. Uh, he is our 2026 Youth of the Year. And I know we got to hear a little bit more about his journey and Youth of the Year experience, what Youth of the Year is, his journey through Boys and Girls Club in general. Um, and a little bit more about the club of programs and life skills that we teach. But now we're gonna dive a little bit deeper into his food and security platform, some statistics, uh, maybe a fun little game, and some other things that um we just want our viewers to know about this awesome set of a kid that we have.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, well, I appreciate that. I'm pumped to be back for part two. Um,
Arkansas And The Reality Of Hunger
SPEAKER_00yeah, let's get right into it with some food insecurity facts and kind of just my platform as a whole. So, like I mentioned, food insecurity is important to me because I have to only guys experienced this issue firsthand. And because of this platform, I've been able to do so much through the Boys and Girls Club. Um, food insecurity specifically is important, especially where I'm from in Arkansas, because Arkansas is ranked the worst food insecure state in the nation. So we are ranked 50 out of 50 states, uh, meaning that the families in Arkansas are the most food insecure compared to other states in our country. Um, nearly 30% of Arkansas residents are actually food insecure. And that was um a recent report, actually in 2026, by a study from the University of Arkansas. And so what that means is almost 30% of the people that you know in your life, you know, are struggling. It may be silently or you may know about it, um, but they just might not be able to have that confidence of where that next meal is coming from. Maybe that means that they're putting food on the table for their children, but they're not getting to eat themselves. Or maybe it means a child's only meal is coming from school. So what about that summer help and just those programs? Maybe they're a club kid and they're only eating at school and from the meals this the club provides. There are just so many different opportunities. I feel like people are not given. Um, and so food is just one thing that is like it's a need, it's a necessity. So what are they missing out on because they don't have access to food like they need it? Like maybe they're spending their last dollars on food, which means they can't pay for rent. Or maybe it's something else, but you know, food is what has to go and they're only eating two meals instead of three, or they're only eating free lunch at school and not getting dinner. Uh it's a very prevalent issue and it's very upsetting because I feel like there is always more that we can do, and I'm trying to advocate for this issue, so we can help uh dwendle the numbers and just make it where food security is not as prevalent, specifically in my community. And then of course, as my platform grows, so can the reach of advocation for food security and just really ending the issue.
Small Actions That Make A Difference
SPEAKER_00One thing that I believe is super important is blessing boxes, and that's because they are a simple way to give back, and like I mentioned earlier, um they are they could they're great for like a program to do, maybe like a school club or a club at the Boys and Girls Club, like Keystone or Torch Club, which are community service um clubs and programs to give back. But there's so many other ways to give back, like I mentioned, you know, go volunteer at a food bank, you know. Maybe meet with your local politicians on laws or bills that can be passed to help raise more money for school funding or for food insecurity. There's so many different ways to give back, and the answers and solutions are obviously uh limitless. They might not completely end the issue, but every little bit helps. Every dollar donated, every canned food item donated is ultimately helping a family or a kid in need, and that is, I think, what is super important. And so as an advocate for food and security, that is just what I want people to know is that it is a prevalent issue, but yet there are still so many different ways to give back. It doesn't have to take all of your time, it doesn't have to take all of your money. It can simply be a canned, a piece of canned food, or it can be donating money to someone like myself or a food pantry or a club because we have ways and resources and amazing partners to be able to give back. And that's just something that's super great that I encourage everyone to do is find a way to build a blessing box. Find a house for one. You maybe donate to one that you know is at a local church, a local boys and girls club. They are all over. And I hope for that, I hope that they grow and that more people can learn about them and how important they can be.
Building Blessing Boxes With Partners
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and I think that's a great initiative. I think to his point, um, anyone can go out there and and donate what they can. Um, but it's also a good team building activity. So if you're looking for um a blessing box to put at your local organization or business, um, if he's reach out to the Boys and Girls Club Benton County because we have access to be able to help build them and provide them for you with through his initiative alone. He's raised funds for that. And his his goal and mission is to really put blessing boxes into um every boys and girls club that is able to have one all around the country. Um, and that's a really awesome initiative and start, but also we can do more in our local community. So if you're looking for a way to donate, donate canned food, donate even hygiene products are are necessary as well. Um, but also uh reach out and see how we can work together to get you a blessing box at your local organization or business and and maybe do like a donation food drive or a competition of some sort. Um, because like he said, Arkansas is the number one um state that's you know, that needs food right now. So um I know that this can be a like a tough topic to talk about, um, but it is it is a huge uh factor in in our state right now. So
This Or That Game Break
SPEAKER_03I'm going to uh lighten the mood up a little bit on this. And what do you say we play a game?
SPEAKER_01Absolutely, let's do it.
SPEAKER_03Okay. So we're playing a game of this or that. So I have a list of questions that I'm going to ask you, and you have to you're gonna you're gonna answer them, and then I'm gonna let you go through all of them, and then I'm gonna go back and say what I thought you would say, and if I got it right, yeah, you meet. If I got it wrong, probably gonna get a lot of these wrong because I I came up with these questions myself, so I kind of did it to myself. But it's for it's for the love of the game, right? So are you good?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm good. I mean, we've known each other for a long time, so I'm hoping that she gets most of them right. I'm pretty confident that I've got 90% of these right about her. So we'll see who truly knows who best.
SPEAKER_03Well, I I kind of again, I asked some questions on like, I'm not sure, but I didn't want to go the easy route and be like, I know he's gonna choose nachos or Skittles or something, right?
SPEAKER_00She's making excuses before the games even started.
SPEAKER_03This competitiveness of a all right, let's go. You ready?
SPEAKER_00Yep.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Time travel to the past or the future?
SPEAKER_00The future.
SPEAKER_03Rewatch your favorite show or start a new one.
SPEAKER_00Rewatch my favorite one.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Uh sneakers or slides?
SPEAKER_00That's tough. I wear both all the time. I'll say sneakers just because I'm active.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Trip in public or wave back at someone who wasn't waving at you.
SPEAKER_00Wave back at someone.
SPEAKER_03Concert or sports games?
SPEAKER_00Sports games.
SPEAKER_03Live without music or without social media.
SPEAKER_00Without music.
SPEAKER_03Dancing badly or singing badly.
SPEAKER_00Singing badly, because like I said earlier, I don't think I must my talents or days are behind me.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Eat the same meal forever or never repeat a meal.
SPEAKER_00Ooh. I feel like I'd have to eat the same meal forever. I'm gonna run out of food eventually.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Uh always have one percent battery or no Wi-Fi.
SPEAKER_001% battery, so like it never dies?
SPEAKER_03It's just slow or Oh, it just always have one person.
SPEAKER_00I gotta stay with that because I can't do nothing without Wi-Fi these days.
SPEAKER_03But Okay. So Alright, last one. If you could choose a celebrity to be on the podcast, who would you choose?
SPEAKER_00Ooh, a dream podcast guess. That is tough. Um, I'd say Adam Sandler's probably one I'd want out there. Maybe uh The Rock, I know is someone that we both really like. Uh Mr. Beast would be cool. I'm trying to name a few to really help you out, you know. Oh yeah. Alex Warren, I listen to him a lot. I say I said I would rather live without music, but I do listen to Alex Warren a lot. There's a lot of cool guests I like to have. Michael Jordan would be cool.
SPEAKER_03All right.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_03All right.
SPEAKER_00How'd I do? How'd you do that?
SPEAKER_03How did I do? I did okay. I can show you the paper if you don't believe me.
SPEAKER_00No, I believe that.
SPEAKER_03I didn't say that first one said time travel to the past or future. I did say future. Only because I know that like you're just like, I want to know now. I want to know now. And I'm like with you on that. And we've been on a roller coaster ride through our our journey together of like, actually, I just want to know now. I'm like, you know, we don't know. So if you had that, you would have already known the future on that.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, I said re watch your favorite show, which I don't write. Um I I mean, I think I would choose this ink because I watch Friends all the time.
SPEAKER_00That's how I am. I watch Friends and then I sleep with the TV on. And so like I just re-watch like the same three or four shows like every time I go to bed, and I end up staying up like an extra 30 minutes watching them. So I feel like I always watch those over and over because I don't want to start something new and then fall asleep and miss it, you know? Yeah. So I I I'm watching the same show every day.
SPEAKER_03Okay. Um, so I did pick sneakers, but I I was torn between the two. But I know that you're always like buying new sneakers. Um, I got the wave back at someone who wasn't waving at you. Okay. I got the sports gay one.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_03I got live without music.
SPEAKER_00Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_03Now, this is where I struggled a little bit. I I put dancing badly.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_03Instead of singing badly.
SPEAKER_00That's not bad. That's the first one. But that one I just had to say, I don't know. I feel like if you're I feel like I gotta bust a move every once in a while, you know. I kind of want to be good at it. I don't have to get up and sing in front of anyone. I don't think I'd want to do that anymore anyway.
SPEAKER_03So And then I I got to eat the same meal forever because I don't think you could go without like shrimp or nachos.
SPEAKER_01I eat those, you know. I get out of shrimp nachos through the. Or shrimp nachos. I'm pretty happy with shrimp. As it is, you're right.
SPEAKER_03Uh and then and then I did get this one wrong. I put no Wi-Fi.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_03I struggled with that one myself. Like, I don't know what I would choose. And then um I the person I thought of on the celebrity was Travis Kelsey. Only because we had talked about it before when we were coming up with like a dream list, but way before we actually started doing content and and like launching this thing. He we came up with the dream list, and he was on there. Um, I think he still is on there, but he didn't hang on. Solid choices, though. I should have said Alex Warren Warren because he was on that original list.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Uh Jarvis Kelsey, I assume you're watching this. You can still totally come on the podcast. I'd love to have you. I just I had to make it tricky for her, and I wanted her to lose the point, so I didn't put you on there.
SPEAKER_01He cannot be the ones.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. No, I just wanted myself to win. It's not in the same way eager. So you technically missed two, and then the bonus, the third one.
SPEAKER_03So yeah, but also he wrote the title of this, this or that loser edition.
SPEAKER_00No comment. Yeah, um, all right, let's get started. Um same thing for you. I didn't do bad though. You didn't do bad. You did not do bad. Uh, I'm gonna ask you the same questions, and I have or on here which ones I think you'd get right. Okay. Would you rather vacation in the mountains or the beach?
SPEAKER_03Oh gosh, that's tough. That's really tough. Vacation? So I'm just like being lazy.
SPEAKER_00I mean, no, I feel like it can be whatever. If you want to hike in the mountains or if you want to be lazy on the beach, it's up to you. Uh how you like to travel.
SPEAKER_03So I love a good beach and I don't like necessarily being lazy. I I'm gonna go with mountains only because I have a life full of hitting national parks, like traveling as many national parks and hiking as possible. So mountains, but I do love a beach.
SPEAKER_00Nice. So I know Eric's going to Yellowstone this in May at with his family, so he's gonna get to go there.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna have to hit him up and see how that is.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, for sure. It's like his mom has like a whole itinerary plan and it's huge. It's like a giant, she's like laminated and everything.
SPEAKER_01Well, Yellowstone's on my list, so yeah, perfect.
SPEAKER_00All right, would you rather call or text?
SPEAKER_03Oh I've been really bad about texting people back lately. Um, I think it's because there's so many group chats and things going on that um lately it's just been a phone call, so I'm gonna say call. But that could have gone either way.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Would you rather be invisible or read mods?
SPEAKER_03Invisible. I I can't I can't be reading mods. That's too much of overthinking for me.
SPEAKER_00I get that. Um similar question. Would you rather live in the past or live in the future?
SPEAKER_03Future. I don't like dwelling on the past.
SPEAKER_00Okay, yeah, yeah. Would you rather meet Kylie Kelsey or Dwayne Johnson?
SPEAKER_03Oh that's tough. That's tough. Dwayne Johnson's always been my man. So um I I have I've been a big fan of Dwayne Johnson since I was a kid in wrestling days, so I'm gonna go with him.
SPEAKER_00But Kylie That's all we both like to listen to podcasts, and so I listen to New Heights, and then you listen to I'm not gonna lie. So yeah, that's why they were both on here. All right, next question. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses? What fight one horse-sized duck?
SPEAKER_01One horse-sized duck.
SPEAKER_00So wouldn't that a big duck? A big duck. Or a hundred duck-sized horses, a hundred little. I mean, I guess they're still decently sized.
SPEAKER_02Probably a double one.
SPEAKER_00A hundred?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, why not? Okay. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um would you rather sing every word you say or dance everywhere you go?
SPEAKER_03Um, so probably sing. So I have this thing, it's called Ashley's version. So I will sing a song and make my own lyrics. So I'm just gonna go with that.
SPEAKER_00Perfect. Um would you rather go on a road trip or fly to your destination?
SPEAKER_01Go on a road trip.
SPEAKER_00Okay. I get it. Would you rather have fame or privacy?
SPEAKER_01Privacy.
SPEAKER_00Okay. And last one, who is your dream podcast guest?
SPEAKER_03Alright. So, like, is it just one or can I throw out a couple?
SPEAKER_01You know, you throw out a couple. You throw out a couple.
SPEAKER_03All right, if Taylor Swift's watching, I could have obviously she's the goat. Gonna go with Taylor Swift. Next is Kylie Kelsey. Dwayne Johnson, obviously is on that list. Um, those are big dream ones, though, really. Yeah. Um, I think that's all that I have currently. Jason Kelsey, too. He's one of guy, I think. Let's get them all on it. Just get the whole Kelsey clan, right? Just do a Kelsey clan and call it that Kelsey Clan podcast.
SPEAKER_00Kelsey Kid. Plus holding the nationally.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. All right, how how'd you do?
SPEAKER_00All right. Uh we tied.
SPEAKER_03Oh.
SPEAKER_00Okay. So I think we tied. We'll have to go back. Um, so first one, would you have the vacation in the mountains or the beach? You put mountains. I had you on the mountains. Just because I know you love to um you like to like hike a lot and just kind of see those good views. It was tough though, because I know you like to take your docks to the beach too. So that one was tough. Would you rather call or text? I also had call. Um, I call you a lot. That's kind of why I put that on there. Like if I need something, I'll just call you instead of text you. Um, be invisible or read minds. I also put invisible just because I feel like reading minds ain't kind of risky. Yeah, it's uh and then this is where I got my first one. Would you rather live in the past or live in the future? I put you as live in the past. I didn't think of it like you. I thought of it as like you're kind of more just like a simple outdoors person. And I feel like I kind of think about like the past when I think about that, you know, because there's not as much technology. And I can see you just like, you know, living your best life. But that's still like that's a fair point.
SPEAKER_03I and I'm not really up to the technology world.
SPEAKER_00That's all right. Um, I did get five right. Um, Callie Kelsey or Dwayne Johnson, I assumed that you put the wrong, but I knew either way, you'd want to have those. Um, I did get this one wrong. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses? I thought you'd rather take on just the one duck. That yeah, just the big duck instead of the a hundred little horses, but I guess if you think you got a better chance with the hundred, alright. You can take that.
SPEAKER_01I kind of sound spotted up.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, might as well. Would you rather sing everywhere you say or dance everywhere you go? I also got this one wrong. I thought you'd like to dance everywhere you go. I feel like I don't hear you sing that much. Or like ever. But maybe you're just nervous running because I have such a good voice.
SPEAKER_01That's exactly what it is.
SPEAKER_00Uh yeah, I had a feeling. But yeah, dance everywhere you go. I just I feel like, you know, we're like fidgeters, so you like to move.
SPEAKER_03I am, yeah. Yeah. That that was also 50-50.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was it was close. And then I got the rest of them. So would you rather go on a road trip or if I had you as a road trip, because simic road trip type of person? Fame or privacy, definitely I thought you privacy. Obviously, you like to like meet cool people, but I feel like he'd rather just live in a private life. Yeah. Um, I mean, but yeah, you're on this podcast in front of the millions of viewers that we have every episode. Um, and then who is your dream podcast guest? So you listed three people, and I had four people on.
SPEAKER_01Oh, here's the point.
SPEAKER_00So I had Taylor Swift at yourself on there. Yes, I do. I had Taylor Swift, Kylie Kelsey, The Rock, and then Hold'em.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Or I'm already doing this one.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. So I mean, I'd probably smell that one. Like, honestly, I would say that's like a bonus point. So then technically, yeah, but one if you count that.
SPEAKER_02I don't know. I we didn't say bonus.
SPEAKER_00You're right, you're right. We'll call the tie. We'll call it time. We might have to come back a different episode and you know, get a tiebreaker. But yeah, but I'll actually have to tie.
SPEAKER_02After the road trips next, what's your favorite road trip snack?
SPEAKER_00Oof, that's tough.
SPEAKER_02Like if you're going to the gas station and you're getting the road trip stat.
SPEAKER_00So I feel like it depends. We just went on a like a three-hour road trip, like two weeks ago. Yeah. When we went to Little Rock, I got dots pretzels, which are fire. Uh, I I don't really eat those a lot, but like they're good when I do have them. I used to be really big into Gardettos. I used to eat those all the time. Uh sun chips, I get sun chips a lot. Yeah. So that's definitely, yeah, just like type of chip or something to snack on. I like candy, but I don't find myself like eating candy a lot. Like I'd rather choose like the savory option. Yeah. What about you?
SPEAKER_03So Waitley, um I I like to have like salty sometimes. And so I would normally say like hot fries or something, but Pringles for some reason hit different because you can put the lid back on, you don't have to worry about crackling it up and all that. So they have all sorts of different flavors. So I can just put one right now. But Pringles, I do like a good honey bun.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_03I'm going sweet. Or Nerk more Nurky. Layers buses.
SPEAKER_01Those are designers. So yeah. Awesome. Soul choices. Yeah. Great.
SPEAKER_03Well, thanks for replaying the game. Yeah, we did good. And we know each other better than we got.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_03I also chose hard questions I didn't know if I would get the answers right or wrong. All right. Uh so thanks for listening to her game. That was fun. Um,
How Community Support Powers Youth
SPEAKER_03so let's talk about um some community support. So um, you've been very successful and earned recognition and the things that you have done and accomplished so far in just your young 18 years. Um, but how would you say the community has supported you and what have you learned from really working with the community and and in the community in general?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's a great question. And the community support that I have gained uh means everything to me. Um, specifically with the Boys and Girls Club. As you know, uh, we are a nonprofit. So a lot of what we get is from donations and sponsors that really make uh so much of what I do and what the club does possible. And so, first of all, like almost every opportunity that I have through the Each of the Year program or these national councils or even traveling is all because of the community members or board partners that we have that are able to help fundraise and fund like our trips and our ideas. And our um even my food and security platform is largely based upon um a board member who does so much for me and sponsors those blessing boxes. And so just on my platform, my club journey alone, like the community has been such an intra an integral part of what I've been able to accomplish. And also I know that because of all the support that the community does for me, it is important that I get back to the community. And that's another reason why these blessing boxes and fighting for student security and advocating for the club to get new club kids in is so important because it's just one way for me to get back for the so many amazing things that the community has already done for me through the Boys and Girls Club. And then outside of that, I have such a large like friend and family community that is also so supportive. Um, coming up, we have our youth of the year gala, and there are just so many people that I wanted to kind of have on that list to kind of be there because they have instilled so much of themselves into me. Um, I have coaches that I have the coach who moved away my sophomore year, and I still talk to him constantly. He has been such an amazing role model in my life. I have family, I have cousins, I have godparents that you know have really helped to raise me, but also been there for all of my successes. And also just my club staff and friends. Um I play sports or I play basketball of senior season, so that's over now. And then currently I'm in track. And um my club, family, my staff have been there. Ashley has been there to support me through so many of my games and my meets and just anything that I have going on, you know. And that just means so much to me that like it's bigger than the club. Like the relationship that we have cultivated goes beyond those blue doors, and it's really just anything that we have going on in life. And I think that that community, whether that's with the true community or giving back, or my family, my friends, my coaches, like everyone puts so much into me and supports me and cheers me on. And it's just another reason that I motivate myself to keep yelling. Like I'm not only doing this for me, I'm doing it for the people who are cheering me on or for the community that's counting on me to help raise another dollar, another canned food item to make sure that they don't go hungry. And so it's bigger than myself. And um, whether that's me supporting someone else or me being supported from an amazing community, it means the world. And it just motivates me to continue to push myself every day and just continue to grow and give back and advocate for so many different topics because it goes beyond my issues. It goes to my friends' issues or other club issues because of the places I have been, I can advocate for so much more than myself and what I believe in. And that's because of the club and the support that I've gained.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Thank you for sharing that perspective. I think the thing about community is very strong. Um, but also I think the thing that when I think about community is like time. Uh, you can just always give your time. It costs nothing to do that. And so um, it sounds like a lot of people pour their time and they invest in youth like you and invest in themselves and invest into the community to make it bigger and stronger. And so um, some really good perspective and knowledge on the word and the the sense of communic community. Um, you know, we always say it takes a village and we're happy to have um, you know, our partners, our board members, our sponsors, donors. Um, the list goes on with the support because I know that uh we wouldn't be able to do our jobs and we wouldn't be able to provide what we can and opportunities for our youth without community. And all of those people are community. And so um, when you're thinking about how do you give back, just pour your time into the community. Um, it doesn't have to be necessarily uh money, however, that's helpful. Um, it can start with just a simple um donating your time or investment in that. So thank you for sharing
DC Advocacy And Club Memories
SPEAKER_03that. Um switched gears, we t we touch based a little bit about memories, um, the first one, but we didn't get to really talk more about that. So um it doesn't have to be through East of the Year, but like what are some other just like fun memories or opportunities that you've had just on maybe trips that you've gone on or memories moments with certain people, anything that you want to share just to kind of give like a little bit more into Holden and and what he's uh what he's about.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, of course. So like I mentioned earlier, connections and friendships are really important to me. And through the Youth of the Year program, I met um another youth. Her name is Kaylee, and um me and Kaylee competed very close to the same time. Uh after I won my eighth grade year, Kaylee um competed and won back-to-back years. And so we got to travel a lot together to DC and to Keystone conferences, and so we got to spend a lot of time, me, Kaylee, and Ashley. And one of uh, if not my most favorite trip is when we got to go to DC and speak to uh the senators kind of about both of our platforms. I spoke on food and security and Kaylee spoke on mental health, really got to collaborate uh and see how like much are issues like kind of connected, you know, and how can mental health um um kind of come into food and security? Like if you have that poor mental health, you don't have those coping mechanisms, maybe you you missed miss jobs or you know, you're not able to work. And so then you have that food insecurity, or you have that hunger, or because you have that hunger, you know, it can lead to those like mental health problems. And we got to speak on that, but we also just got to have a fun time, you know, looking at the museums in DC and going to the White House and just seeing what that was like. And that was just a really fun experience because I was with two of the closest people that I have through the club, and we just spent the whole week just like traveling together, talking, making memories, going to fun events, you know, walking around DC, eating at new places. And it was a really fun trip for me, just kind of getting to advocate and being a club kid who um got to speak about my passion, but then also just stepping back and being a kid and uh get to enjoy fun times, get to see cool museums and just have great experiences with the people that I care a lot about. So that'll definitely have to be what up there for me.
SPEAKER_03That is one of my top favorite ones too. Um, we did see a lot. We explored, we did, there was a lot to do in DC. A lot of fun was had in there, a lot of just genuine connections and moments. Um, a lot of learning too. I mean, that was being able to like learn the museums and walking through and all that. That was a fine trip. Um, I think one of my favorite moments was we went to a Keystone conference last year, and Holden was one out of like 10 or 11 that was selected to be on the steering committee, which plans the whole um the whole conference of 1200 youth and advisors in uh Chicago. And um we we had a lot of calls, endless calls and stuff, but we had to do this brief for um for youth and advisors for them. They had to go to a safety brief before they could move on to do other activities at the first day. And him and I were in this this room that had like a microphone and a podium, and uh we were waiting for people to just you know walk in so we could we could brief them and we were just waiting and waiting. So we decided to do our own karaoke. So when we're talking about singing badly, uh, we just put our phone up and started singing karaoke, which I still have on my phone right now. Um I think we were singing Journey, Small Town Girl. Uh and another, I I think there was like a a Shrek, a Shrek, whatever Shrek song, All-Star, we think that poorly, by the way. Uh so much very so that was just so fun. Like we were just, um, I was living my best kid moment at that moment at that time. Um, but little moments like that are just I cherished because it was just moments of just joy and not worrying about anything other than maybe some people walking in the room and listening to our awful singing skills. But it was such just the fun moment. That whole trip was hands down, um, it was just a good time of just going and exploring the Chicago. Um, again, all the travel opportunities and all of the the connections we'd maybe built a lot of um connections with other boys and girls clubs um all around the world and still talk to them. And so I think that's what's beautiful about this organization, this movement is in this movement, we all have the same mission and the same values and the same purpose. And so just being able to be aligned with like-minded people um to really drive to make a difference and change, not just in our communities, but nationally together. And so um, those are some I could go on and on about all the the favorite memories that we have. And I know it doesn't just stop here just because you're a senior. You we still have a lot more to do together. And um, I'm just again very lucky to be in the position that I am to be able to work alongside youth like you and and share these experiences, but also look through the lens of your eyes as you're exploring and navigating and learning and understanding and going through it is very valuable to me. And so I am like immensely proud of this dude next to me because he is just very outstanding, incredible. He brings so much joy. Um, he has like a heart of gold, and I could go on and on. Um, but he's an amazing youth, and I'm very lucky to be a part of this journey with him. Um, and I can't see, I can't wait to see what he does next. I mean, he's probably gonna be my boss one day or the CEO of someplace or maybe the president, who knows? There's a lot of options I just threw up there, just trying to get his mind just to imagine just flowing in that direction. But um, what else do you want to say about um what the club means to you or anything along those lines?
What The Club Means For Life
SPEAKER_00Yeah, of course. Um, as we wrap up, I just I can't imagine my life without the Boys and Girls Club, the people that I've met, the memories that I've had, and just the opportunities that I've been given. Um, so much of who I am, um, my background is because of the Boys and Girls Club. And I'm so grateful for these opportunities. Um, my best friend has come through the club. So many of my fondest memories, my being able to travel, you know, getting to make connections with staff, gain role models, um, being able to not have to worry about a financial burden in college. It's all due to the Boys and Girls Club, and I'm not the only one. There's thousands of club kids that have this opportunity, and there's millions of club kids that attend the Boys and Girls Club and are going to be able to have these opportunities one day. And so the club means everything to me. It is like a second family to me. Me and my mom are so appreciative of everything that it has done. Not only has it lifted the stress off for me, but her as well. You know, she knows that I'm constantly at a safe place and I am wearing the values of what it's like to be a young gentleman and also gaining these connections for the real world as I grow up and becoming the dole. Um, and it's all it's all in due to the Boys and Girls Club and everything that they have done for me and my family and the millions of other kids that attend the Boys and Girls Club. So just I'm just thankful for all of them, whether it's the staff, the volunteers, the CEOs, the president of the Boys and Girls Club, is this any of our supporters? Thank you so much for other to do. Thank you guys for listening and supporting this podcast because it's also just another representation of the club and the value that they instill in us. So I'm really grateful and blessed for this opportunity.
SPEAKER_03Thank you so much for um letting me host today. I am so honored, but I'm also really proud of everything that you've accomplished and that you will continue to do. Um just thank you for l helping me learn, navigate, um, letting me just work alongside you and and pushing me to do better. So I appreciate everything that you've done for me. And um, I just can't wait to see where you go next. But I just want you to like super proud of you. Um, this was a great time. I loved everything about this podcast. Um, I loved being able to be um involved and being the host again. Um, it was a very much honor to be the host um of this podcast and be able to interview him and learn more about Olden and his journey with the club and youth of the year and um and talk about all the fun things that he's been able to do from from the club and because of the club.
Subscribe And Final Goodbye
SPEAKER_03So um thank you guys for listening today. Um, thank you for your support. Um, if you guys could please go like, follow, subscribe uh to Youth Unmuted. We would appreciate that. And uh, you know, reach out to our slaughteres that we want to be on the podcast. That'd be co-optive, but uh be group. Anyway, anything else you want to say?
SPEAKER_00Three, two, one, peace. Thank you all for tuning in again. I am Holden, your host. Please like this video and subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcast. Until next time, peace.