Middle Georgia Student Receives Big Award
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
Mar 20, 2013 at 6:32 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 20, 2013 at 8:19 PM EDT
A Middle Georgia high school student fights adversity and receives a huge honor to represent the state of Georgia.
Tyler Ragin, 16, is the State Youth of the Year winner for the Boys and Girls Club. The Rutland High School junior beat 150 competitors for the title in last weekend's competition. She says the club has been a second home and has allowed her to bond with children like herself.
Her parents divorced when she was in eighth grade and she decided to live with her dad. Her father, Leland Ragin was a sports agent but after the recession in 2008 his business stalled. The family had to downsize and adjust to a new lifestyle. Ragin escaped from the changes by running track.
To win the youth award is just another accolade for the honor student and rising track star who is being recruited by more than 50 colleges. For winning, she received $5,000 from the state and another $1,000 from the Central Georgia chapter to go towards her secondary education.
"It means a lot to me,” Ragin said. “I've worked hard for it. The club means a lot to me and I'm trying to give back to my community making sure that other kids have the opportunity to get something in life."
Ragin will compete in the regional competition next month against winners from seven other states. She wants to not only run track in college but compete in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
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