SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed Springfield High School senior Micah Jackson to the Capitol on Tuesday as part of Manar’s Future Leaders program and to recognize him for being named Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Youth of the Year for 2019-2020.

Accompanying Jackson was Tiffany Mathis, who was appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in January.

“The Boys & Girls Club is such a positive force in this community. Cultivating young leaders and preparing them to succeed is some of the most important work we can do,” Manar said. “The impact of Tiffany Mathis and professionals like her is evident to anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting students like Micah Jackson.”

Jackson, 17, shadowed Manar for the day, joining him in committee meetings and on the Senate floor where he met other state lawmakers and observed them as they debated and voted on legislation.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois is so grateful to Senator Manar for selecting our Youth of the Year Micah Jackson to spend the day as a Senate page,” Mathis said. “Senator Manar’s continued support of our organization and the youth we serve further highlights the important role that Boys & Girls Clubs play in students’ lives all across the state.”

Manar presented Jackson with a Certificate of Recognition for his achievement and conducted a one-on-one interview – a tradition of Manar’s Future Leaders program. The two discussed Jackson’s rise into a leadership role among his peers and his plans for the future.

“Visiting the Senate was a great opportunity for me to see how government works on a daily basis and how many different people are involved in the process,” said Jackson, who is interested video game design and will begin pursuing a degree in graphic design from Lincoln Land Community College next fall.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, Inc. operates in 9 locations and serves roughly 900 children and teens, providing character building activities, academic assistance programs, and healthy activities. The organization’s programming is geared towards delivering measurable outcomes that help students become responsible citizens in our community, lead healthy lives, and reach their full potential.