Samson Worrell is following in his older sister’s footsteps as the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia Suffolk Unit’s 2013 Youth of the Year.

Worrell is a Lakeland High School senior whose older sister, Miracle Worrell, was the unit’s 2009 Youth of the Year and went on to win the title for the region. Worrell will attempt to improve on his sibling’s performance this year, with the first step being next Wednesday’s Youth of the Year Dinner at Norfolk’s Waterside Marriott.

The winner receives a $2,500 college scholarship from the Lewis D. Hirschler Scholarship Fund, and the chance to compete in the state, then the regional, then the national titles.

Whoever wins at the nationals gets to meet the president at the White House, and earns more than $25,000 all together in scholarship money, said Reggie Carter, the Suffolk Unit director.

Worrell, who has been attending the Boys and Girls Club since the age of 8, is definitely in with a good chance, according to Carter.

“He’s someone who definitely has the character and has the leadership skills,” he said of Worrell. “He has great academic standards and has served the community and his club. … He’s definitely overcome some obstacles during his life, and has been a shining example for those fellow club members.”

Worrell said his favorite subject is science. “Right now I’m taking physics; it’s pretty difficult.”

He listed basketball, his school’s Men of Distinction mentoring program, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes as some of his extra-curricular pursuits.

“It’s really a family here for me,” he said of the Boys and Girls Club. “It’s built my character, and I got my foundation in basketball here.”

He said he usually comes to the club, after school at John F. Kennedy Middle School, on Fridays, and often another day during the week.

Worrell said he plans to major in either pharmacology or physical therapy and works at Sentara Obici Hospital to get experience.

Next Wednesday’s dinner, the organization’s main annual fundraiser, starts at 5:30 p.m. Individual tickets cost $125, and higher levels of sponsorship are also available.

To book a place, email Dave Zobel at dzobel.bgcseva@cox.net.