For 72 years, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program has honored the nation’s most awe-inspiring young people and encouraged them to lead, succeed and inspire.

Zion Caliq Neverson joined the local Southside Boys & Girls Club on Bainbridge Street at age 10 when his mother could not pick him up after school from the Commonwealth Christian Academy.

“At first, I didn’t like it because I didn’t like meeting new people,” Zion says. “I liked staying in my social box where I knew specific people I wanted to hang out with.”

Zion confessed, with a little coaching from The Club’s staff, he grew out of being a big introvert that people barely noticed to an extro*vert who now freely gives guidance and inspiration to his peers.

He has inspired so many that Zion is the 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Youth of the Year.

Zion was selected from a field of seven exemplary young people recognized for their leadership, service and academic excellence at the Science Museum of Virginia on Feb. 27.

When the award was announced, Zion couldn’t believe it and says, “I was in shock.”

In an interview with the Free Press at The Club, he recalled his family’s reaction. “My parents, Dorothy and Calvin Neverson, were proud of me and said, ‘It was a job well done and I deserve it.’ ”

When Zion went up to the podium to accept the award, he didn’t say anything and just stood there.

“I couldn’t get a word out, and then I ran off stage,” the Neversons’ middle son explained, laughing with a little embarrassment.

But his shyness disappears as a leader of the Keystone Club, a teen service organization through the Boys & Girls Clubs dedicated to leadership and service. He participates in numerous community service projects and recently attended a leadership conference with his peers from around the nation.

At Commonwealth Christian Academy, Zion is a math tutor and is described as an excellent role model for younger students. In the community, he also is active in Awana, a Christian youth organization that hosts food drives, community carnivals and other outreach programs.

In 2016, the Boys & Girls Clubs gave Zion the opportunity to participate in the Mayor’s Youth Academy for those ages 14 to 19, which is designed to develop Richmond’s future leaders.

Zion has plans for the future and says, “I want to either go to VCU or ODU. Since I was a child I always wanted to go to VCU. On the other hand, ODU is right by the beach. I love the beach, so at ODU I can go to the beach whenever I have time.”

His interest in sociology and child development stems from what he has been seeing on a daily basis — the effects adults and parents have on children.

“This is something we should take more seriously; what children see and experience affects them more when they get older. This is the storyline they carry throughout their lives. Children need consistent guidance and love,” Zion says.

He plans to major in sociology and child development to become a school counselor and eventually open a charter school or afterschool program.

For him, The Club is a second home where he feels safe and accepted, supported and mentored as he develops into the young man he is today. Commonwealth Christian Academy is where he has learned so much about himself and different people, as well as how he looks at different situations.

“In both places, I can see how others look at you as a leader and how they listen to you as they see you as a leader,” the 2019 Youth of the Year says.

The Commonwealth Christian Academy senior will compete for the Virginia State Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship in April. If he wins, he will then compete for the Southeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000.

This will place Zion in the running to advance to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year in Washington, D.C., in September, where he could win an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000.

His advice to his club members and school peers is very clear, “Inspire, learn and take the time to observe the world around you.”

“Observation is what made me take off on my headphones and put down my cell phone, which are constant distractions.”

Meet this young achiever and this week’s Personality, Zion Caliq Neverson:

Latest award: 2019 Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond Youth of the Year.

Date and place of birth: Aug. 15, 2001, in Chesterfield County.

Current residence: South Side.

Grade and school: Senior at Commonwealth Christian Academy.

Grade point average: 4.0.

Extracurricular activities: My extracurricular activities include Keystone Club, Ready2Win and the Mayor’s Youth Academy.

Family: Parents, Dorothy and Calvin Neverson, and brothers Naasir and Deshaun.

Reaction to news that I was named Youth of the Year: Shock and disbelief. I went up against seven amazing youths in my area who have overcome several obstacles to become leaders in their communities; an awesome bunch that I now consider family.

Number of award contestants: Seven nominees for Youth of the Year 2019.

When I got involved with Boys & Girls Clubs: I got involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs at the age of 10.

What The Club has meant to me: The Club has meant a lot to me. It’s actually a second home. The Club is a place that I feel safe and accepted. My Club program director and mentor have been a great support with helping me develop into the young man I am today.

The most unforgettable experience in The Club: Our Keystone Conference 2018, which was held at Georgia State University in Atlanta. We were able to participate in different seminars, meet other BGC members from around the country, and we got to meet Nick Cannon and Lil Yachty.

What motivated me to get involved in community service: I wanted to take part in my community and to be an ambassador for change. 

My career ambition: To become a school counselor in the hopes of one day starting my own private school or afterschool program.

How I plan to accomplish it: I plan to accomplish my goal by attending a college that allows me to work on my master’s degree while obtaining my bachelor’s degree.

How I start the day: I always start my day off with prayer and a little music. Prayer helps me clear my mind and focus on the day ahead. Music is my hype man for the day. LOL!

A quote that I’m inspired by: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass … It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” — Vivian Green.

Three words that best describe me: Humble, consistent and determined.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Writing poetry that goes along with some of my artwork.

Best late-night snack: A warm Little Debbie Honey Bun.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: To trust in God and to be observant.

The person who influenced me the most: I would have to say my Dad. My Dad is full of encouragement, wisdom and solid advice. My Dad has also made an impact on some of my friends’ lives as well.

Book that influenced me the most: “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” by Tupac Shakur. The book helped me understand that anything is possible if I set my mind to it.

What I’m reading now: “Visual Intelligence” by Amy E. Herman.

My next goal: My plan is to attend college locally to study sociology or psychology with a minor in child development.