MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Harlem High School senior and all-around athlete Jiharia Young placed top 15 in the Youth Athlete of the Year award and is pushing to place top 10.
“Being able to come out and do stuff and make a difference for my team and the people around me is just like, it makes me feel good,” shared Young.
Dozens of athletes nationwide are competing in the competition in partnership with NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. The search for the winner is based on public voting, sponsored by the V Foundation for cancer research and the Why Not You Foundation.
“I have a support system, but I didn’t know that there were a lot of people out there that was supporting me like they are right now,” said Young.
Beyond her sporting career, Young takes certified nursing assistant classes and has maintained a 3.5 GPA. Her mom, Notisha, said she deserves this award for her perseverance.
“We faced homelessness for six and a half years until God put me in a position to buy us our own home. So even though we were going through that, Jiharia persevered; she never let it get in the way of her sports. She never let it get in the way of her performing academically,” her mother said.
Taking on first place or not, Jiharia is proud of not only herself but all the other athletes who have made it this far in the competition.
“Even if I don’t win it, I would be happy for the person who did win because I’m not in it for the money. I love seeing a smile on my mom’s face; it feels good to know that I’m making them proud and not just myself,” said Young.
To vote for Young, visit the Young Athlete of the Year’s website.
The first-place winner will take home a $25,000 prize and be featured in a Sports Illustrated ad.
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