Boys & Girls Club helped Lambert understand how the choices she was making as a youth would impact her future. “As I grew older, the staff at the club helped me set goals,” she said. “The Keystone

Club made me appreciate working with people. It made me realize I wanted to help people find solutions to whatever problems they were facing.”

She also participated in the club’s Goals for Graduation program, Career Launch and the Job Readiness

program. “All of these tools my club gave me helped me get ready to build my future,” she stated.

Lambert has set her goals high. After high school, she hopes to attend Michigan State University and go into medicine. “I want to be a family doctor because at my Boys & Girls Club I feel so much like a part of the family.”

The Kenosha Area Noon Optimist Club has sponsored the Youth of the Year competition for several

years. As this year’s winner, Tonia will receive a $1000 scholarship from Dennis and Natalie Troha.

Tonia is a confident young lady. “If you don’t know who I am, I will tell you. I am Tonia Lambert and I am a reliable, honest, trustworthy and kind-hearted person. Watch out for me. In a few years I plan to come back and volunteer my time and effort to the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, just like they have done for me.”