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Base Teen selected for Boys & Girls Club Teen Advisory Council 2nd Tier

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  In a world where countless teenagers surf the web to check out the latest Hollywood gossip or funny viral videos, one teen here has been selected to go online for more serious reasons.

That teen is 17-year-old Xander Burch who was recently selected to be part of the second tier of the Boys & Girls Club of America Teen Advisory Council.

This year the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) selected 20 teens from across the country to participate on the second tier of the Teen Advisory Council, which is also known as the BGCA Teen Advisory Council Facebook Group.

"We feel this is a great way to engage teens and get their feedback on teen trends and issues on a regular basis," said Dave Rozman, BGCA director for Club Capacity and Outreach Program and Youth Development Services, in an official statement informing the youngster of his selection. "The feedback provided by the teens is instrumental in making sure the organization's programs and services are aligned with the needs of its members and that its members and leaders are doing all we can in making the Boys & Girls Club a positive place for teens."

The news of the selection to the Facebook Group gave Xander's parents another reason to be proud of their son, who'd recently been named the Grand Forks Air Force Base Youth of the Year for the second year in a row.

"Both my husband and I are very proud that he was chosen to be part of the Teen Advisory Council," said Xander's mother, Joanne Burch, who works as a training and curriculum specialist for the 319th Force Support Squadron here. "It is a great opportunity for him to be able to add his voice and thoughts."

Xander admitted being nervous about saying the wrong thing; however, he quickly found the comfort and confident state-of-mind by referencing a life lesson taught to him by his mother.

"One thing my mom has always taught me is to think long and hard before answering a question so as not to say the wrong thing," said Xander. "I hope I will do right by those words and be able to offer my experience as a military child, whether it's helping with questions regarding PCS (permanent change of station) moves or just everyday worries about school and peer pressure which can happen anywhere at any time."

Xander looks forward to attending college later on in the year.

It's been a dream of his, said his mother.

It's a dream that will soon become a reality with a more active and sometimes hectic schedule filled with tons of homework, quick meals and long nights of studying. When asked about the expected challenges of balancing college life and his commitment to the Teen Advisory Council, the soon to be 18-year-old Navy brat was quick to credit his father, David, for setting a good example.

"I'm planning to set aside an allotted time each week to commit to the teen council group," said Xander. "My dad retired in 2011 as a chief petty officer after serving 24 years in the Navy. Earlier in his career he taught me that time management was important and with good time management skills I will be able to organize my work and commitments better, as well as having some down time for myself."