Two local Boys & Girls Club members have been nominated for the 2010 Youth of the Year Award celebrating service to community, family and the club, as well as academic achievement and moral character.

Taylor Franks, a Ballard High School senior and nominee from the Ballard Boys & Girls Club, has completed more than 200 hours of community service in the past year.

She is involved in many clubs, but still takes time to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club.

She said the club is a great because it gives young and underprivileged youth a place to go where the atmosphere is always positive and there is always someone to listen to them and help them.

"I really do care about the club," she said. "I love it."

Franks said she was surprised to be nominated, but it is a great honor.

"I was very ecstatic because I was up against some tough competition," she said.

Amaris Williams is the nominee from the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club. The Roosevelt High School student has been a member of the club for a decade.

Franks and Williams are two of the 11 Youth of the Year contestants from King County. Each contestant received a $500 education scholarship.

They will compete in front of a panel of judges Feb. 9 at Benaroya Hall with the chance to advance to the state level, earning an additional $2,500 scholarship.

The national winner will be inducted in a ceremony at the White House with President Obama.

According to a Boys & Girls Club press release, many of the contestants come from difficult backgrounds, such as homelessness or violent neighborhoods.

"Many of these youth have overcome major obstacles in their lives, making their success all the more amazing," the press release stated.