Madison Reporter

La Follette High School senior Adriana Villagomez has been named the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County Youth of the Year. This accolade recognizes her leadership, academic performance, and dedication to community service.

Villagomez’s path to this recognition involved a competitive process. She first participated at the school level, where she submitted an application that included a personal statement, essays, a resume, and a recorded speech. After being selected as La Follette’s Youth of the Year, she advanced to compete at the county level. There, she refined her materials and prepared for live interviews and speeches with assistance from AVID and TOPS coordinators.

Part of her preparation included a Kohl’s shopping event where participants received funds to buy business casual attire for the competition. “The whole process was intense but rewarding,” Adriana stated. “I’ve always been shy about public speaking, but this experience helped me overcome that fear.”

The award ceremony took place at the Goodman Community Center on January 23. Villagomez competed against four other students, delivering a speech to six judges before presenting to a larger audience. “Standing at that podium, seeing all the people who helped me get here, was an incredible experience,” Villagomez shared. “Winning was mind-blowing—it made all the work feel worthwhile.”

In addition to her achievements with the Boys & Girls Club, Villagomez is an active leader at La Follette High School. She founded Unión Latina, a cultural club that has grown to about 60 members since it started during her freshman year. The club offers a safe space for Latino and non-Latino students alike and is planning a trip to Costa Rica for senior leaders deeply involved in its growth.

Beyond her school activities, Villagomez participates in By Youth For Youth (BYFY), a youth-led board under United Way focused on funding community improvement projects addressing issues like immigration and food insecurity.

Looking forward, Villagomez has been accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison with plans to study Childhood Development and Family Studies. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatrician, using her education and experiences to provide representation and advocacy in healthcare.

“This award means so much to me because it allowed me to share my story on my own terms,” Villagomez said. “I want others to know that their voices matter. If you see something that needs to change, act on it.”

Villagomez expressed gratitude towards her parents for their unwavering support as well as AVID staff for their guidance throughout the competition.

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