NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Selected between two outstanding youth, Juan has been named the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (BGCNR). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. Juan will go on to vie for the New York State Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“Juan is an impressive young man in all areas. He is an honor student, volunteers in the community, and an excellent role model to the young kids at the Club. We could not be prouder of him,” said Lutonya Russell-Humes, Executive Director of BGCNR.
Juan is the first elected Co-President of August Mascaro Clubhouse Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. In his capacity as Co-President, he has served as an ambassador for the Mascaro Clubhouse and BGCNR as a whole. He represented the Club as our introductory speaker at our first annual Lights On Afterschool Rally. Juan also participated in our 88th Civics Day, an annual event that kicks off National Boys & Girls Club Week in which select members assume the leadership positions of City Hall for the day. Juan assumed the position of Youth Mayor and shadowed the Mayor Noam Bramson for the day.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported the youth advocacy organization for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, is dedicated to inspiring the next generations of engineers, thinkers and leaders who will help drive the American economy. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a committed partner who has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on many Academic Success initiatives, and the Taco Bell Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
If Juan wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. in September 2017, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.