Culinary Arts student Joshua Womble received a $5,000 scholarship as state winner of the Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year competition.

Womble, a freshman at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jefferson Davis Campus, competed against 20 other contestants for the award and will now compete at the southeast regional competition in June 2015. The event includes speeches, interviews, essays and community service.

If he wins at the regional competition, he will receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including the five regional winners and a military winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year competition for a chance at an additional scholarship of $25,000 that is renewable for up to $100,000 for four years. He is already a recipient of a Presidential Scholarship for receiving a 28 on his ACT.

“This is a thrilling opportunity for me, and I look forward to competing at both the regional and national levels,” he said. “It is not only about the scholarship money, which is a very important consideration, but also the opportunity to network and to gain valuable experience.” He continues to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club in Pass Christian.

With plans to dual major in culinary arts and hotel restaurant management, Womble said his future plans include opening his own restaurant and teaching others in the culinary field. “I love the classes I’m taking and see so many opportunities in the restaurant and tourism industry here, along the Coast, and in other parts of the country as well. I’m very excited about what my future holds in the industry.”