Zoey Hinojosa doesn’t make a scene. She just gets things done. Whether it’s intuitively mentoring a younger kid at the Boys & Girls Club or carefully guiding a goat into the perfect stance for a livestock competition, Zoey’s approach is straightforward: do the work, no fuss.
There’s no grand fanfare or expectation of praise — she simply does what needs to be done. Her determination has shaped a journey where success doesn’t come from flashy gestures but from subtle, consistent commitment.
Take her time in the barn, for instance. Zoey talks through the process of training her livestock for showing with the same precision she applies to anything in life: “I integrate myself into the barn and just have them get used to me, walk them with the halter, switch them to the chain, make sure they’re set up right. The feet have to make a rectangle.” There’s no hesitation, no drama, just a clear, step-by-step approach to a deeply personal hobby — a lesson in how persistence leads to progress.
At 16, Zoey carries a depth of experience that belies her years. A junior at Pea Ridge High School, she is this year’s Boys & Girls Club of Benton County Youth of the Year, an honor recognizing leadership, service, and resilience. But for Zoey, it’s more than a title. It’s a platform. A responsibility. A chance to give voice to the kids who, like her, have navigated the unpredictable terrain of childhood instability. “The impact I will make as Youth of the Year is helping youth who have also been affected by child abuse feel heard and noticed,” she wrote in her application. “By tending to animals, I can help youth feel more comfortable in their situation so they can begin to talk about what they are going through.”
Raised in a household where addiction and neglect loomed large, Zoey stepped into the role of caretaker early, as she and her siblings — an older brother, a twin brother, and a younger sister — struggled to find safety and stability. “It did fall on me,” she reflects. “But I also think I took on that role just because I could see that we didn’t have dependable parents.” The foursome often bounced around between the homes of extended family members in Texas until her aunt and uncle in Northwest Arkansas offered to temporarily assume guardianship while their mother worked toward sobriety. Against her 10-year-old wishes, Zoey and her siblings moved back in with their mother after the six-month allotment, but she and her brothers would make NWA their permanent home by the following school year out of concern for their well-being.
Along with a now-stable living situation, the Boys & Girls Club became an anchor for Zoey. “When I first started coming here, absolutely I was focused on homework. Nowadays, not at all. Do I have homework to work on? Absolutely. Do I do it while I’m at the Club? No. Because I like helping out with everyone else,” she shares with a playful lilt. In that welcoming space, mentors like Miss Gracie and Mr. Shawn helped Zoey see that she had the potential to lead and make a difference.
Shawn Sawyer, director of the Pea Ridge Club unit, has witnessed Zoey’s transformation up close. “The main indication I’ve seen of her confidence growing has been going through the process for Youth of the Year. Her first year, she was hesitant about putting her story out there. But even by the end of that year’s competition, she wanted more. She was so determined after making a connection with other teens during the process,” he details. “In the years that I have personally known Zoey, she has done everything within her power to be a leader among her peers inside and out of the Club.” His words paint a picture of a hard-working young person who thrives on the small victories that come with showing up, day after day, and committing to consistency.
For Zoey, the Youth of the Year competition served as a powerful vehicle to build community connections and empower others to find their voice in the midst of adversity — motivating her to apply three times before securing the title. In addition to a rigorous application process of essays and interviews, YoY also requires candidates to champion a platform that will impact others. Zoey’s cause — advocating for nontraditional therapy through livestock care — was shaped by her own experiences. Working with the farm animals on her aunt and uncle’s farm gave her a sense of stability when life felt anything but. “I’m in normal therapy,” she explains, “and for the first three or four years, it didn’t really have an effect on me. But then I realized that maybe other people feel the same way — that they can’t connect with the counselor in that way. So, what if an animal is that ‘person’ for them? If dogs and cats can be service animals and be of help to people, why can’t other animals like sheep and goats and cattle and even pigs?”
The idea crystallized further when Zoey traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a national Boys & Girls Club advocacy initiative. Standing before legislators, she spoke about child neglect and the therapeutic benefits of working with livestock. “It was really funny,” she recalls. “We ended up talking to a representative with an agriculture background and I connected with her immediately.” Zoey’s ability to find common ground and build relationships through shared experiences is part of what makes her a natural leader.
“Youth of the Year gives these teens a platform to showcase what’s important to them. It gives them a chance to connect with their community and be a voice for young people within that community,” Sawyer explains. “The skills that Youth of the Year provides these young people — public speaking, resume writing, or interviewing — these are important things for them to learn but this process is so much more than that.”
Zoey’s love for animals and understanding of the importance of mental health made her platform a no-brainer, Sawyer adds. She was inspired to explore the world of livestock showing when she saw all the winning banners and belt buckles on display at her aunt and uncle’s house. It’s a craft that blends precision, patience, and a unique form of artistry. Hearing her explain the intricacies and skill involved, you can tell that it’s not just about the technical details — there’s a profound connection she feels with her animals and the satisfaction of mastering something that isn’t easy.
Even when things don’t go perfectly, Zoey takes it in stride. On a recent February day at the Club, Zoey reflects with a wry smile, “I only won one buckle this year,” despite competing with five animals. Though she’s grown accustomed to securing more wins in a season, she embraces the disappointment as a vital lesson in resilience. “I worked really hard at it, but I know that those animals were better than mine, and I know that the judges typically know what they’re doing. Coming at it from a different perspective, you realize that you’re not going to win everything. And I love the banners and buckles, but then again, you can only wear one buckle at a time.” That single buckle in a showmanship class also holds meaning that transcends mere recognition; it is a personal barometer of the technical skill and the relationship with her animal that Zoey has honed. The experience instilled in her an understanding that every setback is a steppingstone to improvement — a lesson she carries with both humility and humor.
At the Club, Zoey’s role goes far beyond any single duty. “She spends her time with staff helping younger members. Whether it’s facilitating an activity or sitting with them and just talking, she knows firsthand how impactful mentoring can be, so she seeks out opportunities to do so in small ways,” Sawyer shares. His observation sums up what many see in Zoey: someone who naturally looks out for others, her thoughtful disposition helping to make the Club feel like a big, supportive family.
Juggling school, Club responsibilities, and sports (bowling season comes to an end soon, but she also competes in track and cross country), Zoey also has an eye on the future, mapping out big dreams. “The Navy is my first option,” she says, a statement that feels as straightforward as it is inspiring. Her plan isn’t just about serving her country — it’s about taking all the lessons she’s learned and using them to help others. Alongside that, her newfound passion for culinary arts adds another exciting layer to her story. Taking concurrent classes at NWACC, she’s discovering that creativity in the kitchen can be just as rewarding as any other challenge.
The Youth of the Year program has been a critical part of Zoey’s journey. Each year, thousands of teens compile essays, resumes, cover letters, recommendation letters, and short speeches to capture what matters most to them for the national leadership and recognition program. Those who stand out move on from local competitions to state, regional, and national stages, representing more than 3.6 million Club kids. This month, Zoey will step onto the state stage in Little Rock, and on April 4, the Youth of the Year Gala in Northwest Arkansas will bring the community together to celebrate these incredible young leaders. “We’ve seen so many kids in our program grow up to be confident in themselves and want to get into these other activities and leadership roles,” Zoey says of the Club’s influence. “It’s really nice to have people push me to become better, and being able to push others to become better.”
The Boys & Girls Club also opened Zoey’s eyes to unknown battles everyone around us may be facing. Speaking up for friends in crisis, lending an ear so someone feels less alone, treating every single person with kindness — these are powerful acts that can leave a lasting impact. “It puts it into perspective for me that other people are going through other mental health stuff; even if it doesn’t relate to me, they’re still having problems,” Zoey says of showing support to her peers. But one little girl at the Club stands out. The child’s home life is very similar to the volatile experiences Zoey endured at that age and the connection she has fostered with the girl epitomizes the Club’s mission for Zoey. “Being able to see it from her point of view, it’s like, why do kids have to go through these circumstances? And when they go through them, why do they have to suffer in silence alone? When I did Youth of the Year, she was always on my mind. This is who I’m doing it for.”
By empowering young people to explore their potential, the Boys & Girls Club helps transform lives and build brighter futures. Through programs like Youth of the Year, kids learn essential skills in communication, goal setting, and teamwork — skills that prepare them to be responsible, caring citizens. Zoey’s journey exemplifies how the support and encouragement of a nurturing community can help a young person overcome adversity and emerge as a confident, capable leader.
Moving between relatives’ homes, facing neglect, and stepping up to care for her siblings could have left Zoey defeated. Instead, every difficult moment pushed her to work harder, to find strength in the smallest acts. Her story is not merely one of personal triumph; it is a call to action for communities to invest in their youth.
Even in the quieter moments, when the noise of the world fades away, the memories of sleepless nights and uncertain tomorrows serve as a reminder of how far she’s come. Those memories aren’t recounted with dramatic flair, but with the simple honesty of someone who knows that every small act of courage adds up over time. And in that honest, persistent effort, Zoey reminds us that leadership is built on consistent choices. “Dedication has always been a big part of me,” she says thoughtfully. “I think it’s true that when you get more and more dedicated to your goal, I think you fall more and more in love with what you’re doing.”
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