YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Emilee Hinkle was named 2026 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield Inc., winning a $20,000 scholarship.
Hinkle, a senior at Parkview High School, won the honor at the Feb. 11 Youth of the Year Gala.
According to the club, she is passionate about music and the arts. In the club’s Keystone program, she has served as a leader, led fundraisers and participated in community service projects. She was described by club staff as joyful and dependable.
“Helping others reminds me of what my parents taught me: Always be there for people, especially when times are hard,” wrote Hinkle, in an essay submitted as part of the award process. “The club helped me find my voice and believe in myself. It’s my second home.”
Hinkle, a drum major at Parkview, plans to attend the University of Missouri or the University of Alabama.
Youth of the Year is the highest honor bestowed by the club. Hinkle will compete at the state level in April for a chance to win an additional $2,000 scholarship and participate at the regional and national events.
The local event was sponsored by Springfield-based OakStar Bancshares Inc., the holding company of OakStar Bank.
A trio of brothers own Southway Storage LLC, which opened Oct. 7 and has 289 units to serve customers in Ozark, Nixa, Springfield and elsewhere in southwest Missouri.
