AMERICUS — Christopher Williams and Wycovia Merritt have aspirations of being a professional athlete. But if that doesn’t pan out, Williams wants to work in landscaping and Merritt a police officer.

The two young men were honored Thursday night as this year’s Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Sumter County at the annual Steak and Stake banquet held at South Georgia Technical College.

Celebrating the club’s 10th anniversary, board of trustee members from the national chapter in Atlanta were in attendance, recognizing former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter and the three founding members — Bill Harris, Gwen Butler and Merion Fuller.

“To me, it was another stepping stone to really enrich the lives of the kids in Sumter County,” said Boys & Girls Club President Larry Jackson. “The two Youth of the Year award winners have already set goals and working toward them. And I think coach Felton was the greatest part of the night when he interacted with the kids. They’re already thinking of what they need to be successful.”

The Carters received the inaugural Jeremiah Milbank National Gold Medallion award, which is given to “individuals who have rendered outstanding service of national significance to the Boys & Girls Club movement.”

Harris, Butler and Fuller received the National Award of Merit, based on Jackson's nomination.

Following the lines of Hank Aaron, Evander Holyfield and Vince Dooley as keynote speakers was University of Georgia head men's basketball coach Dennis Felton.

Felton led Georgia to maybe the biggest surprise in SEC Tournament history when the Bulldogs won four games in three days, including two on the same day against Kentucky and Mississippi State.

Felton spent five seasons at Western Kentucky where he led the Hilltoppers to three-consecutive NCAA Tournament berths before coming to Georgia in 2003. During his tenure as a head coach, it's noted that all but two of his players have gone on to graduate college.

Felton’s message was straight to the kids, giving them nine tools the he encouraged them to put in their “tool kit for life.”

From identifying heroes to be role models to finding inspiration to becoming a leader, Felton used his life as a child and his interest in basketball and success as a coach to relate to the audience.

Williams, 12, said the courage tool probably meant the most to him.

“I think it was inspiring,” said Williams. “He gave you some tips for the future that will help motivate you to do better in school and encourage me to do better and move forward and never give up.”

Before Felton was done, he got the kids involved, asking them for tools they thought were important. Jacob Harrell, the son of South Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach Brandan Harrell, was the first to speak up, stating respect.

Others followed with courage, sportsmanship and teamwork.

“It was motivating and uplifting,” said Jackson. “I started thinking of different ways to help my community be those tools and the examples the kids came up with. It think he really kind of hit the nail on the head. He hit right home what it takes to be successful. I think everybody left there with a sense of knowing it was a motivational speech. It was something to stick with you and carry with you.”

The evening started with the theme “For America ... You Stand” where five members of the Boys and Girls Club represented important figures in the United States’ history. Kylon Cleveland portrayed Carter with his emphasis on peace. Brandon Carter was George Washington, Aaliyah Marshall was Rosa Parks, Jordan Carter was Betsy Ross and Kristen Meriweather was the Statue of Liberty.

Gabriel & New Priests provided entertainment throughout the evening, led by Gabriel Powell. Ten members of the Easter Morning Unit served as dancers while the group performed.

Staples of Albany donated a $500 grant to both the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Youth Development Center/Unit Torch Club and the Easter Morning Community Center and Torch Club.

The Girls and Boys Club of Sumter County was formed in 1998 in efforts to provide an extra place for kids to grow and help them reach their goals through instruction and a safe environment. It has more than 150 kids involved in the two programs today.