Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota Honors Three St. Cloud Teens for Achievements

From left to right: Shurki Abdi, Maya Shimabukuro-King and Kanye Swap. Photos courtesy of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota

(KNSI) – Three St. Cloud youth were recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota on Tuesday for their achievements.

During a virtual event Tuesday, the organization honored Shurki Abdi, a junior at Tech High School, Maya Shimabukuro-King, a sophomore at Tech High School, and Kanye Swap, a sophomore at Apollo High School.

Shimabukuro-King was named 2021 Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. This means Shimabukuro-King receives a $500 scholarship. She will serve as the organization’s ambassador and has the chance to earn scholarship money at a state-level event later this year.

“The club has always been like a second family to me,” Shimabukuro-King said.

Over 10 years, Shimabukuro-King — who was also honored as the Eastside Youth of the Year — has been involved with multiple programs through the Boys and Girls Clubs, and she volunteers often as an activity leader and role model.

Abdi, who was named the Southside Youth of the Year, became involved with Boys and Girls Clubs in 2017 after moving to the area from Atlanta. Through career planning programs at the club, she found out she is interested in a career in nursing.

Swap, the Roosevelt Youth of the Year, has been involved with the club for 10 years and often volunteers for food drives. The club says Swap’s goal is to open his own veterinary clinic.

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