Northland Senior Abigail Bempah Named Youth of the Year Runner-Up
“‘Abby? The quiet girl? Does she even talk?’ That’s what people used to say about me. And honestly? They weren’t wrong.”
With that striking opening line, Northland High School senior Abigail Bempah captured the room and hearts during the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Ohio Youth of the Year competition.
At just 17, Bempah turned vulnerability into strength, sharing how the loss of her father shaped her voice and her mission to advocate for mental health. Through her leadership as president of her Club’s Keystone group, she found her second home, a platform, and her calling.
Her powerful speech, alongside an essay, résumé, and interview, earned her the regional title, a $10,000 scholarship, and a spot at the state competition, where she placed first runner-up.
Now, as Northland High’s 2025 valedictorian and a future pediatric nurse headed to Ohio State, Bempah is living proof that quiet children can rise and lead.
“To those ‘quiet kids’ who have ever doubted the power of their voice or the impact of their actions, I say this: Your voice matters; your story matters; and you have the power to change lives — including your own.”
She’s not just a student, she’s a role model, a leader, and an advocate for the voiceless.
