Tamara Johnson will be missed around the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club this school year. The 18-year-old 2010 Pojoaque Valley High School graduate heads off today to began her college journey at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

"She will truly be missed by all the kids," said Donald Christy, the executive director of The Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club.

Johnson, the daughter of Gary and Lorraine Johnson, received a four-year, full-tuition scholarship — valued at more than $120,000 — from Marquette University.

Previously, the university had offered these scholarships to members of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, but this past year, they opened it up to members who have been named Youths of the Year from all over the nation.

According to a news release from the Boys & Girls Club of America, being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a club member can earn.

Johnson is one of three students to receive the prestigious scholarship, for which students also had to meet the university's admission criteria.

"We are looking forward to having them join our Marquette family and inspiring those who follow them in their clubs to pursue a college education," said Marquette University President Robert A. Wild, in a news release. "We hope that this partnership will grow to involve more students across the country, supporting Marquette's long tradition of educational access."

When she found out she got the scholarship, "it was probably one of the most amazing feelings I've ever felt in my life," Johnson said with excitement in her voice, just a few days before leaving for school. "I'm a little nervous, just because it's a long way from home and it's going to be a completely different experience."

For now she's taking only her core classes, but hopes to major in either journalism or pre-law. She is torn because she enjoyed writing articles for her Club's website and participating in the Pojoaque Valley High School Mock Trial Team.

Johnson has been a Boys & Girls Club member for nine years, but had gone to the club before that. She eventually became a staff member and the 2010-2011 National Money Matters Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For the latter, she was able to travel to New York City and ring the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange.

"A lot of people don't get these opportunities," Johnson said. "Without the Boys & Girls Clubs, I wouldn't be going to Marquette."

She earned several other scholarships throughout her last two years in high school and those will go toward paying for her books and housing.

On her first day of school, she will be able to meet Miami Heat star and former Marquette basketball standout Dwyane Wade, something she's very excited about.

"She's a Dwyane Wade fanatic," Christy said with a laugh. "She even has his picture as her wallpaper on her phone. Dwyane Wade went to Marquette and he's part of the reason for this scholarship ... It's just a really cool first-day experience. Can you imagine being 18 years old and hanging out with Dwyane Wade?"

Johnson is grateful to her parents and to God for all the things she's been able to experience in her life, she said.

"My parents, they've always pushed me and have always supported me in everything that I've done," she said. She's grateful to God for "giving me the faith to believe in myself and giving me these opportunities."

Christy maintains Johnson has had good fortune because she's adamant about giving back to the community. She raised $2,300 for Haitian relief efforts and insisted the entire sum be sent to a Haiti earthquake relief fund, he said, even though her Keystone Club still needed to raise $12,000 to attend a conference.

"That in itself shows what kind of character this young lady has," Christy said. "She's such a humble young lady. She's had great things come her way and it is because of her outlook on life. You give back and you get rewarded threefold."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.