Leading Light

Strong family ties and an appreciation for each day are the foundation of 17-year-old David Wooten's positive outlook on life.

In 2010, when he was 9, his mother fell into a coma. Roles in their household reversed as Wooten and his four sisters had to help care for her.

"It gave us a reality check that life isn't guaranteed," says Wooten. "You have to cherish every moment you have with your loved ones."

The teen believes his family-oriented speech, centered on this particular hardship, and charismatic delivery at the county competition set him apart in the running for Youth of the Year, an honor annually awarded by both the local and national divisions of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Born in Belle Glade and raised in West Palm Beach, Wooten was selected as one of seven semi-finalists from more than 8,500 local club members, and he went on to win the top honor at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County's fourth annual Youth of the Year dinner earlier this year. He received a four-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship and room and board.

Wooten graduated at the top of his class at Inlet Grove Community High School in Riviera Beach, where he was captain of the football team, a member of the National Honor Society and voted teacher's pet.

He recognizes that winning the award holds him to a new standard among his peers in the Florence De George chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs, and he takes being a role model seriously.

To teens in the community facing difficulties, he strongly recommends becoming involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs or other organizations aimed at helping troubled youth.

"Just know that there are people out there willing to help," he says.

Wooten is currently involved with a summer career program through the nonprofit, and he will enroll at Florida Atlantic University this fall to study psychological counseling. O