A 13-year-old Oxford boy has been named the Youth of the Year and will go head-to-head with fellow nominees in the region next week.

Christian “Q” Blake received the Youth of the Year award from the Oxford Boys & Girls Club, and on Jan. 21 will compete against club members from Tupelo, New Albany and Ripley for the opportunity to represent at a state and national level.

Amy Goodin, Oxford unit director at the club, said every month throughout the year the local club picks a youth of the month at every age group and at the end of the year picks the most outstanding of them all for the award.

“Q was selected because he has a great attitude, is always respectful, he’s very mature, he’s always responsible, he has great grades and he’s involved in sports,” Goodin said.

Christian said his parents were proud of him and he’s happy to represent the Oxford club.

“I think I deserve it because I don’t hang with the wrong group and I try to make all A’s,” he said. “I try to do my best and respect my elders.”

He’s grateful for the opportunities the club provides and wants to show his appreciation.

“Here they try to help us and stuff and they gave me the opportunity to do my homework and have Wi-Fi,” he said. “We didn’t have Wi-Fi at my house and I would come here and do my homework and they will help you with your homework.”

As the quarterback for the Oxford Middle School team and as someone who enjoys basketball and baseball, and even doing math, he tries to help others while at the club.

“One time we had a basketball team here in the summer and we would go play against other Boys & Girls Clubs,” he said. “A lot of time I would help other people, and I would help other people with their homework if they had it.”

Christian will find out if he will be the one to head to Jackson in February in state competition on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at CREATE in Tupelo.