Nick Groth is an advocate against bullying and a role model for others. He is also one of eight outstanding Valley youth vying to become the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Valley’s Youth of the Year.
Nick Groth. Photo courtesy of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley
Groth joined the Gilbert Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley 11 years ago.
Now a junior at Gilbert High School, he participates in football and wrestling and is known for taking a stand against bullying. After some of his peers started teasing a smaller football player who ate out of a trash can for unknown reasons, Groth urged them to stop. He later befriended the victim to make him feel like part of the group.
Groth understands how it feels to be an outcast. In seventh grade, he struggled as a wrestler, losing every match that season. With hard work and determination, he eventually became state champion.
Groth is the youngest of five siblings, but he still looks out for them, especially his brother Chris, who has autism.
Groth’s long-term goal is to become a orthopedic surgeon so he can continue helping others and fulfill his passion for learning about the human body.
He is president of the Keystone Club, a leadership program that helps organizes events in the community. He also serves as a group leader to help members transition from various programs and assists the program staff.
The Youth of the Year event, which ultimately will chose one youth to represent the chapter at the statewide competition, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.
Every year, thousands of children benefit from after-school youth development programs, extended services and community support programs through the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Valley. For more information visit clubzona.org.
— Erin Saltzman
