Exavier Ayers is the 2014 Youth of the Year with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON — Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama has named Exavier Ayers as the 2014 Youth of the Year.

Ayers, a senior at Bob Jones High School, attends the J.E. Williams Boys and Girls Club. “I have been a member for 12 years,” he said. “I show others that they can do whatever it is they want as long as they believe in themselves.”

Ayers grew up in Triana. He has attended Heritage and Columbia elementary and Discovery middle schools.

Youth can apply for the Boys & Girls Club award. “I think I won because I am going through so much, but I still fight to achieve my dreams. I do not let anything get in my way,” Ayers said.

“My strength to continue fighting is what makes me stand out,” he said.

As a member of Boys & Girls Club, Ayers has learned that he “can be anything and do anything that I want as long as I believe in myself and not let anything or anyone stand in my way.”

Sonya Ayers is his mother. “She does not work because she has multiple sclerosis and she is in a wheelchair,” he said. “I have lived in Madison (most) of my life.”

At Bob Jones, Exavier Ayers is involved with the theatre program. He serves as the head sound technician and a senior student technical director. This fall, he will enter the University of North Alabama.

Ayers will compete for the state title in Birmingham on April 23-26.

North Alabama has 10 Boys & Girls clubs. The youth pursue learning while connecting with caring adults. At the clubs, the young people work on their homework, research about colleges that they may attend or plan a community service project.

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama headquarters are located at 203 Eastside Square in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-534-6060 or visit bgcnal.com.