Grand Forks AFB back-to-back Youth of the Year: Xander Burch

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Xander Burch has been named the Youth of the Year for Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the second year in a row.

"The ... recognition is the highest honor a Club member can achieve," said M.E. "Coach Spud" Anthony, Grand Forks AFB director of youth programs, who nominated the 17-year-old teen. "I could not think of any other young adult who deserves this honor more."

The program celebrates those who have overcome enormous odds and who have demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments.

"He is such a hardworking young man with a long and impressive list of volunteer activities," Anthony said.

One of those examples included volunteering as the junior mentor for the base's BGCA Torch Club Food Drive. In June of 2012, Xander helped the Torch Club collect non-perishable food items for the Northlands Rescue Mission, a shelter for homeless people in the city of Grand Forks, N.D.

Xander also volunteered as a junior staff member for the base's youth program, which provided him with the opportunities to serve as a camp counselor and junior coach during the Youth Center's summer camp program.

Anthony said the teen's generosity has also made an impact on an international level.

"Xander has been able to help people not just here locally, but in other parts of the world," said Anthony. "He helped children in Africa by collecting running shoes and shorts for two months last summer. He paid for all of the shipping and handling charges from tips he earned while working as a bagger at the local commissary."

Xander was also selected to serve as a member of the Facebook Group for the BGCA Teen Advisory Council, a program designed to engage teens and get their feedback on trends and issues on a regular basis in order to align the organization's services with the needs of its membership.

In response to the recent recognition, Xander responded in the modest and humble manner those who know him personally have come to expect.

"It's a great honor to have been chosen a second time. I'm looking forward to heading to Minot (N.D.) in April and represent Grand Forks Air Force Base in the Youth of the Year state competition, but more importantly, I hope the things I did to be selected help motivate other youth to give back to their community," he said.