The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale McKee Branch has announced its Youth of the Year, with 14-year-old Kari Harper earning the honor for 2016.

According to McKee Branch Teen Development Supervisor Lauren Cassidy, Harper was an easy pick for this year’s Youth of the Year award.

“Kari is one of the most incredible young women I have ever been able to work with,” Cassidy said.

“To say that Kari is passionate would be an understatement. Everything she does, she does with all her heart.”

Having worked alongside Harper for the past year and a half, Cassidy said she has watched this young lady evolve into the best version of herself.

“As her advisor for the Youth of the Year Program, I can honestly say that with every experience I have had with Kari, not only have I been able to teach her something, but I always walk away having learned something as well,” Cassidy added.

“Kari’s passion for the Club and four others is contagious.”

Cassidy said she doesn’t have to guess at Harper’s future, because she knows Harper will go on to do amazing things.

“Anything she wants to accomplish, I am confident that she will,” Cassidy said.

“I cannot wait to see all she will do. I’m proud to know Kari and even more proud to have her represent the Mary Ellen and Robert McKee Boys & Girls Club.”

Harper made it abundantly clear that she is just as excited and honored to represent the local branch as Youth of the Year.

She’s one of those youngsters who has the ability to catch you off guard; confident well spoken. At the same time, her eyes sparked with youthful excitement as she discusses some of her passions, including the Club and a little play called Phantom of the Opera.

At the Club, Harper is a member of the Keystone Club, which focuses on community service. She also likes to help out around the club during the school year and, in the summer, she takes part in the Leader in Training program.

“A Leader in Training is basically an aid for the staff on the youth side throughout the summer, so I get to help out a lot with the younger groups,” Harper said.

“My favorite groups are kindergarten and first grade. They’re just so fun-loving and happy. They’re fun little people to be around.”

A Desert Mountain student, Harper is involved in the pre-diploma program, which is an entrance to the International Baccalaureate Program. In short, she takes classes in the fields of physics, Spanish, algebra, symphonic band, honors world history and the like.

When she isn’t studying or doing homework, she’s also part of the Scottsdale Aquatic Club and she’s a part of the school’s swim team, the High School Development Group.

Harper said she still somehow finds time to keep up with her hobbies, which include writing and practicing bassoon.

“I also love watching Phantom of the Opera,” Harper said.

“Ten out of ten, that’s my favorite hobby. My favorite is the 2012 Opera Royale with Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo. They’re my favorites by far. Sierra Boggess is a true inspiration. I love her.”

Harper said her favorite thing to write is poetry, especially in the Shakespearian sonnet form or “free verse is all right, too.” Currently, she said she’s also working on a “little murder mystery.”

As part of the Youth of the Year program, Harper has had to write a speech, three essays, complete an entry packet and provide a few letters of recommendation.

“All of that is supposed to reflect on my experience at the Club and how the Club has changed the person I’ve become,” Harper added.

“The Club has helped me learn to be me and discover the person I am rather than fake everything about myself. It’s helped me embrace and come to terms with, well, me.”

When Harper found out she had been named the local Youth of the Year, she said she was surprised.

“I didn’t expect this,” she said.

“But I was really happy and I’m determined to represent McKee the best that I can.”

Harper said she first got involved with the local Club when she was 11. Her age would have had her on the youth side, but her school grade allowed her to join instantly on the teen side.

“At first I was really shy and not sure if I could talk to the other people, but they’re all just so nice and I thought, ‘Why not? I have friends here,’” Harper added.

“The Club has become my family. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I feel like everyone here has been so important and supportive of me. That’s why I stay involved; I want to give back.”

As for her honor as Youth of the Year, Harper said it makes her feel accomplished.

“I feel like it means I have represented myself, and that I have represented all of the people that I love, and that I have put in so much hard work,” Harper said.

“It says I’m worth this award.”

Now representing the McKee Branch, Harper will next be in the running for Youth of the Year for all of the Scottsdale branches. From there, the competition goes on to the state, region and national stage.

Harper will find out if she’s progressing further into the competition on Feb. 20.

Beyond that, she’s already working on her future plans.

“After high school, I hope to go to an Ivy League school to study law and writing,” Harper said.

“I’ve always found law to be incredibly intriguing. I want to work in the criminal law field. I’ve been really inspired by a bunch of recent cases and trials and I want to help the families in need.”

Harper said that she also wants to swim for the Olympics U.S. women’s team, if she’s got time.

“And then maybe I can squeeze in playing in a symphony,” she added with a laugh.