Print edition: 
Kiana Knolland knows the road to success is paved with hard knocks, although her lively voice insists nothing holds her back.
Despite her mom's battle with heart surgery and Crohn's disease, Kiana — a 16-year-old Southeast High School sophomore — is fighting for a positive future with the aid of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a national organization that helps school-age children excel.
In a recent statewide contest, a panel of judges named Kiana the Boys & Girls Clubs Kansas Youth of the Year. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of Tupperware Brands Corp. for her contributions to family, school and community and her ability to overcome personal obstacles.
Seven Kansas teenagers vied for the honor at the contest, held earlier this month in Topeka.
"I was really honored to get the award because it's a chance for me to be a good role model," said Kiana, who also won the local Youth of the Year contest and a $500 George Fahnestock Memorial Scholarship in February.
She will compete against eight other teens for the Southwest regional Youth of the Year title and an additional $10,000 scholarship on June 2 in Dallas. In September, the nation's five regional winners will meet in Washington, D.C., to vie for an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 and the national Youth of the Year title.
"I think that Kiana is a great speaker, and she has a dynamic personality," said Lindsey Wasinger, marketing director of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas. "She did very well, and she's very driven."
Knolland is a member of the NAACP and volunteers for church and community activities. She plans to attend Harvard Law School and become a district attorney.
"She's a busy bee," said Prisca Barnes, executive director of the Kansas African American Museum, where Kiana volunteers.
Barnes said her relationship with Kiana started when the then-second-grade girl and her two adopted sisters first attended Free Full Gospel Pentecostal Church. Barnes said it has grown into one of mutual admiration and respect.
"Because of her personality, I feel like at times she's mentoring me," Barnes said. "She's an inspiration."
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs, call 316-201-1890 or visit www.begreatwichita.org/index.php.
