Milwaukee teen gets shopping spree at Kohl's after becoming 'Youth of the Year'

GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) – A Milwaukee teen got the shopping trip of a lifetime after receiving $750 in gift cards from Kohl's. From nearly failing to graduating with over a 4.0 GPA, Loren Muwonge says while her story is one of success, it shouldn’t be a unique one.

Muwonge was named the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee's Youth of the Year.

“[Muwonge] is what’s right with Milwaukee," said Andre Douglas with the Boys and Girls Club.

If you ask people who know Muwonge, they’ll tell you her future is bright.

“Whatever she wants it to. Her future holds whatever she wants it to," said Douglas.

Muwonge will tell you it hasn’t always been easy.

“My mother had passed away a little over a year ago," said Muwonge. “I was off of school for about a month, but I didn’t know where I was gonna go, how I was going to go from failing to really just graduating on time. And speaking with my counselors, I really feel like they gave me the sense of direction I needed.”

After a year of struggles, she's now headed to Spelman College on a full ride. It's an achievement The Boys and Girls Club, along with Kohl's, celebrated.

“To be here and not have to worry about dorm supplies means so much to me knowing that’s covered," said Muwonge.

Muwonge says she has a future because of the people around her.

“I am so thankful that I was able to go from a place of no direction a year ago to a place of having inspired people with my story and being on my way to my dream school," said Muwonge.

She hopes others will, too.

“To be building a legacy for younger girls that look like me – telling them that it’s possible to go to a place that fosters black excellence," said Muwonge.