Shaniqua King-Barrington was selected Youth of the Year by the City of New Britain Commission on Youth and Family Services for the second year in a row. Shaniqua is a senior at E.C. Goodwin THS. Shaniqua is one of eighteen students nationwide to be part of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Youth Leadership Team. She has traveled to Washington D.C. twice to address the issues surrounding teen pregnancy.

She is a very active member in the Pathways-Seneros organization. This organization is designed to help eliminate teen pregnancy by addressing the root causes. She has met with numerous state officials to discuss solutions for teen pregnancy.

She has been recognized by the Capital Workforce Partners group as a "Rising Star" because of her vision and commitment toward her future. She has co written two published books about her life experience and appeared on NPR's "Faith Middleton Show." In addition, she has been working on research projects with professors and graduate students at Central Connecticut State University Bio Molecular Science Department. She does all this while maintaining a part-time job at a local fast food restaurant.

Shaniqua has been accepted to the University of Bridgeport. Her goal is to be a Physician's Assistant. She will be the first in her family to attend college. Congratulations Shaniqua!!!