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PARKERSBURG -- A Parkersburg High School freshman recently named the West Virginia Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year told Wood County commissioners Thursday how being a member of the local club has benefited her.
IssaBella Giffen spoke to commissioners during their regular meeting after they approved the allocation of $5,000 to support the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport's upcoming Kids STEM Day event.
In a speech she delivered for the state Youth of the Year competition last month in Charleston, Giffen shared with commissioners how the two things she'd wanted for her 6th birthday were a pony ride and to join the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. Although the club was at first bigger and involved more kids than she expected, she grew comfortable there, joining in a variety of activities, including the robotics team, where she said she flourished.
The club helped her gain confidence enough to compete in pageants, she said, and according to a press release from the organization, she's won more than 55 titles, including some nationally.
"Miss Hannah (Uppole), our (former) teen director, taught me that my voice doesn't have to be loud to be heard," Giffen said.
Giffen has been active in a variety of Boys & Girls Club activities, even starting her own home-based business, BellAnimal's Boutique, to prepare safe and clean treats for pets after participating in the club's "Envision, Lead, Grow" program. She said the club was there for her when her house flooded in 2018.
"The Boys & Girls Club rallied around us and helped us replace lost items and settle into a new home," Giffen said.
As the state Youth of the Year, Giffen will receive a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and a $500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs in West Virginia. This summer, she'll travel to Chicago to compete for the Midwest regional title and an additional $20,000 scholarship. Five finalists will advance to the national competition in Los Angeles this fall, with a chance to win another $50,000 scholarship and a new Toyota Corolla.Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said he thinks Giffen will be successful at the upcoming competition and other endeavors.
"Once you believe in yourself, you're a force," he said.
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to allocate $5,000 to the airport's upcoming Kids STEM Day event. Planned for June 1, it will include aerobatic demonstrations and a host of activities that will allow children to "leave learning all kinds of things about aviation, science, fuel," said Sydnie Beall, assistant airport manager.Airport Manager Ben Auville said they hope to draw children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Auville said the paperwork and preparation are very similar to what is required for an air show, which is being planned for 2025.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com