Abbeville’s Robertson wins Louisiana Boys & Girls Club ‘Youth of the Year’

Another level of competition, another win for  Bre’Jai Robertson of Abbeville.
Robertson, 18, earned the Louisiana Boys & Girls Club “Youth of the Year” earlier this week in Baton Rouge. She won the Acadiana version of the award in February.
Robertson is a long-time member of the Boys & Girls Club Rodney Unit in Abbeville. She will compete for the Regional Boys & Girls Club “Youth of the Year” award in Atlanta this June.
“It feels wonderful,” Robertson said of the victory. “I am just so blessed to have the opportunity to represent Louisiana.
“I just want to try to represent the state properly and try to get the win.”
In each of the competitions, Robertson, a senior at Abbeville High School, has read a prepared speech on what the Boys & Girls Club means to her. Her passion for the club radiates from her words.
“When I do my speech I make good eye contact,” Robertson said. “I  feel that draws the listener in, so that they feel what Boys & Girls Club really means to me and how I have benefited from it. The Boys & Girls Club becomes a part of your life and helps you through tough times. It helps you through difficulties.
“I want to draw the (judges) in and have them understand what I feel about the Boys & Girls Club.”
Robertson will mostly bring the same approach with her to Atlanta.
“I am just going to try to bring it stronger,” she said.
Robertson knows she faces a tall task even with her best effort.
“It’s more people because it’s someone from each state,” Robertson said. “I want to represent Louisiana well and show the rest of the country what we are.
“It would be great to win, but to represent Louisiana is an honor.”
Again, she will give winning her best shot.
“It’s going to be practice, practice, practice,” Robertson said of her routine for the coming weeks. “I want to be able to say the speech in my sleep.”