By Debra Vaughn

Oak Harbor High School junior Ashley Serna is the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Youth of the Year.

Other finalists included Oak Harbor freshman Gary Garstin and sophomore Joshua Garstin.

“It is a singular privilege to work with these kids and it has restored my faith in humanity,” said Dave Thomason, who volunteers at the Youth Center and served as keynote speaker for the event.

Serna, 16, is the president of the Keystone Club at the Youth Center and takes advancement placement classes in calculus, chemistry and U.S. history at Oak Harbor High School.

The NAS Whidbey Island Youth Center is a military affiliated Boys & Girls Club offering free open recreation for teenagers in grades 6-12 and has more 350 members.

In order to be eligible, the teens had to be in good academic standing and members of the Youth Center. They provided a list of service work and had to meet the theme of “lead, succeed and inspire.”

The teens were interviewed by a panel and each gave a speech explaining why they deserved the recognition.

In March, Serna will compete for the BGCA Washington State Military Youth of the Year award in Seattle. Last year’s state competitors were awarded college scholarship money and a bag of goodies that included an electronic tablet.