COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio are on a mission to empower youth.
One teen taking that mission to heart is Shonn Tucker.
What You Need To Know
- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio awarded the ‘Youth of the Year’ title to Shonn Tucker
- Tucker won the award for his leadership, academics and volunteerism in the community
- A big part of his volunteerism can be seen through his landscaping business, which mostly helps senior citizens and those with disabilities
Not only did he earn himself the Clubs’ ‘Youth of the Year’ title, but he is also the first club member in 75 years to place at the state-wide competition, finishing runner-up.
The award honored Tucker’s accomplishments in leadership, service and academic excellence, and his landscaping business was a small part of that success.
The 16-year-old currently mows nine lawns in the community.
“I fell in love with it, and I wanted to do more,” said Tucker.
While most teens may find a job to earn some extra cash, Tucker’s work is mostly for charity.
“I just really like to help people who weren’t able to do stuff for themselves, and since I had the ability to and they weren’t, I just figured I might as well help,” said Tucker.
Tucker started this business to help the elderly and those with disabilities.
But it wasn’t always a one-man job. He would do it with his stepdad, Kirk Sutton.
“It started with my stepdad,” said Tucker. “He taught me how to cut grass one time. I was actually helping one of his older friends. I just liked everything they were teaching me, and so I started a business with him.”
The duo ran this landscaping business together from 2019 until Sutton passed away from COVID.
Now, by carrying his stepdad’s legacy, Tucker continues to be the inspiration for others like Sutton once was for him.
“I hope they see me and come out and do something in their own way. Or it could be in the same way I’m helping. It would be great to make our community better.”
Tucker was awarded $20,000 total in scholarship money from ‘Youth of the Year’ and is planning to use a portion of that to expand his landscaping business.
