Munnich named Youth of the Year

ARLINGTON Dain Munnich, a 15-year-old at Arlington High School, has been named Youth of the Year for Snohomish County Boys and Girls Clubs.
This honor comes after seven years of involvement at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club.
I joined when Id outgrown day care, Munnich said.
Munnich was hooked by the variety of after-school activities, from arts and crafts to gym sports and computer programs, as well as the summer day camps where he demonstrated enough responsibility and maturity that his counselors recommended he become a junior counselor.
In the four years since then, Munnich has spent close to eight hours every weekday during the 12-week summer day camp as a junior counselor.
He said guiding younger children in activities like dodge-ball and scavenger hunts required him to maintain his patience.
You have to keep your cool and try and get along with all the kids, even the ones who are stubborn and might not want to be there, Munnich said.
You cant just talk to them the way you would your friends. You have to keep things simpler for them.
He said he continues to enjoy the diversity of the Boys and Girls Club programs as much now as he did when he was younger. In spite of the demanding summer schedule, which has only been interrupted for the occasional family vacation, Munnich finds fulfillment in showing the kids a good time.
Munnich was initially hesitant to accept the honor when he was chosen by the Arlington Boys and Girls Club as its candidate for the Snohomish County-wide Youth of the Year title because his older sister Keilei Munnich had earned the award a few years before.
I saw how hard shed worked for it, he said.
Even after being nominated, Munnich had to complete two essays and a speech to be eligible. He remains reluctant to be known as Youth of the Year.
Id rather they just support the Boys and Girls Clubs, he said.

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