Lexi Jones doesn’t like to let obstacles stand in her way.

When others might see a barrier, Jones spots a challenge.

It’s been that sort of strong-minded, determined spirit that has gained admirers and led her on a successful path so far in her young life.

The latest evidence came last week when the Oak Harbor teen beat out finalists from 17 other Boys & Girls clubs to be named the Snohomish County Youth of the Year.

Jones, 17, a senior at Oak Harbor High School, is the second consecutive Youth of the Year from the Oak Harbor club to represent Snohomish County.

Whidbey Island’s clubs in Oak Harbor and Coupeville are considered units of the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County.

Jones was awarded a $4,000 scholarship based on three essays she wrote and a speech she gave in front of a panel of judges last week in Mukilteo.

She follows Erika Aguilar as the second youth from Oak Harbor in as many years to move on to compete for Washington State Youth of the Year.

That competition will take place in Olympia March 30-31.

“I was so happy. I was proud,” Jones said. “These guys were crying.”

Jones was referring to Nikki Barone, unit director at the Oak Harbor Club, and Norrie Perreault, the program director.

“I was proud that I made them proud,” Jones said. “That’s all I was worried about.”

Perreault described Jones as a driven, confident individual who isn’t afraid to tackle difficult challenges.

That sort of thinking applied to her freshman year when she started on the freshman football team at Oak Harbor High School.

It also has helped her rise quickly to a leadership role with Oak Harbor’s NJROTC program.

Jones’ career aim is to go to a technical college to acquire the skills to become an automobile mechanic. She’d like to one day run her own automobile repair shop.

“I’m very independent,” she said. “I want to be able to work on a car without a man helping me. I want to be able to do things that are supposed to be man jobs, that they say are man jobs.”

“I don’t think it should matter if you’re a man or a woman.”

In her essays, Jones wrote about how saving money and financial stability are important to her. She also wrote about the importance of Oak Harbor’s Boys & Girls Club, where she now works as a program aide, and her thoughts about America’s youth.

“I want to see more kids and their parents communicate more and not on their electronics,” Jones said. “They need to be spending more time together, communicating, spending more quality time, bonding. “

“I don’t like the fact that technology has had an overhaul today in society. That’s all kids do nowadays is play on their phones and tablets.”

That isn’t allowed at the Boys & Girls club, nor does Jones allow it to be a large part of her personal life.

“I turn my phone off actually during the school day. I don’t mess with it at all,” said Jones, who maintains a 3.3 grade-point average while also playing on the Wildcats’ basketball team.

“It’s strictly school when I’m at school. When I’m with my family, if we’re eating dinner, the phone’s away.”

Youth of the Year is the premier recognition program for Boys & Girls club members, honoring them for their service to the club and community, academic success and strong moral character.

Perreault said she wasn’t satisfied with Jones’ initial attempts at her essays and speech and noticed Jones wasn’t happy about the constructive criticism.

“I threw a lot of her work out and said, ‘No. Not acceptable,’” Perreault said.

Perreault didn’t back down and Jones ultimately worked harder to make her finished product more polished.

“Lexi writes the way she speaks,” Perreault said.

“That’s OK. A lot of kids do. That’s why we’re here to go through everything and edit and edit and edit and edit and spellcheck and spellcheck and spellcheck.”

“That’s why we’re here. But everything that came from the heart was there.”