How this teen went from not fitting in to winning Youth of the Year - Gainesville Times

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How this teen went from not fitting in to winning Youth of the Year

Jonlyn Forest, right, is hugged by Jaiyah Stringer, left, and Dionte Daniel Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 after The Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier announce Forest as its Youth of the Year during a luncheon at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center. Stringer and Daniel were finalists in the competition. - photo by Scott Rogers

02202020 YOUTH 1.jpg — Jonlyn Forest, right, is hugged by Jaiyah Stringer, left, and Dionte Daniel Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 after The Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier announce Forest as its Youth of the Year during a luncheon at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center. Stringer and Daniel were finalists in the competition. - photo by Scott Rogers

When Jonlyn Forest started her freshman year at Gainesville High School, she found herself struggling to fit in.