North Dakota Boys and Girls Club of America Military Youth of the Year: Paige "Paiger" Holmes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The North Dakota Boys and Girls Club of America has named Paige "Paiger" Holmes 2015 Military Youth of the Year.

"The Boys and Girls Club has had a huge impact on my life and has given me different experiences as a young teen," said Holmes. "In my speech I talked about the leader that I am because of youth programs and from that I can continue with whatever I want to do."

In 2014 Holmes served as the president of the Students Against Destructive Decision (SADD) at Larimore High School, a member of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Youth Center, a representative of the National Air Force Teen Council Midwest, volunteered her time with multiple programs such as special education children, humane society, a Grand Forks homeless shelter and was recently selected as a camp counselor for the Air Force's Teen Leadership Camp in San Antonio, Texas.

One accomplishment Holmes is particularly proud of took place when her dad, Master Sgt. Aaron Holmes, 319th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership commandant, was deployed to central Iraq.

"He talked about a Rusafa women's prison in Baghdad, in which the inmates' children were also required to be in prison with them," said Holmes. "Most of the children did not have much clothes or toys and I knew I had to do something."

At that time, Holmes was Student Vice Council at Twining Middle School in North Dakota. She helped gather enough toys, clothes and hygiene items to fill two large sport utility vehicle loads, which were then packaged up to be flown overseas.

"We received pictures of both the U.S. Forces and European Union personnel handing out items to children," said Holmes. "It was a big moment in my life and I was able to see the impact we made half way around the world."

On April 11, Holmes traveled to Minot Air Force Base, N.D. to meet the judges who would give the award.

Holmes prepared an extensive package that included four essays, three recommendation letters and a prepared speech that would be presented before a panel of judges.

There were 25 candidates and each had to introduce themselves and give speeches followed by a 15 minute interview.

"When I started my speech it was quiet, I talked about my experience as a five-year-old being cast in a theater play as a bird," said Holmes. "I practiced bending over my bed and pretending to peck and that made everyone laugh which grabbed everyone's attention."

It certainly caught the judge's attention as they announced Holmes the winner.

"I did not expect it," said Holmes. "I am really excited and honored to hold this position."

Holmes received a plaque, coin, a medal and a $5,000 scholarship.

"This scholarship money is going toward furthering my education," said Holmes. "I want to pursue an education in the humanitarian field, it's a huge passion of mine or a psychiatrist with a specific focus on our veterans who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

The Military Youth of the Year honor acknowledges club members who overcame obstacles and proved excellent character and accomplishments. For those who want to earn this honor, club youth have to advance through local, state and regional competitions in order to compete for the National Youth of the Year title.

"Now that I am representing North Dakota Youth of the Year, I will be going to Chicago to compete for the Midwest Region," said Holmes. "I am honored and humbled."