Youth of the Year

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By Madelyn Jarrett

Story Published: Feb 1, 2009 at 11:59 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2009 at 8:36 AM MDT

BILLINGS - At 16, Matthew Willoughby has been through more challenges than some go through in their entire lives.

Abandoned by his mother when he was a baby, he's depended on his father and 5 brothers and sisters to get through the tough times. "There's a lot of disappointment when you're 6 or 7 and you're mom isn't there. My dad filled that gap until he became disabled."

On top of that, he's making it through high school with dyslexia and hasn't been well lately. "He's been really sick these last few years, they don't know what's wrong. And yet he fights his way to school," says his father Dave Willoughby. But Matthew's hardships have pushed him further into his faith and his community.

This teenager is active in church youth group, the Boy's and Girl's Club and the United Way. "There's always something that needs to be done. People need help and I'm able, I'm 16, I'm motivated, some people aren't. Some old people aren't able to shovel their snow, so we got together a group of kids to go out and do it."

The Yellowstone Boy's and Girl's Club chose him as Youth of the Year; this is the 3rd time he's won the award. Next week he'll go to the state competition and give a speech competing for the state title. Telling others about how he has overcome and how they too can beat their challenges. "Just don't give up, there's always someone there."

Matthew has a plan for his future. "I go into some branch of the military to help pay for college. And I want to get a 4 year degree in childhood development and work my way up in a position at the Boy's and Girl's Club."

And it's his goals that have gotten him where he is today. Matthew goes to Helena on Thursday for the state competition.

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NoOne said on Monday, Feb 2 at 7:04 PM

good job...

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