The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is pleased to announce its 2014 Branch Youths of the Year, each of whom will be honored at Celebrate Youth on Saturday, March 22 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort.
They are:
Melissa Ervin, a junior at Fountain Hills High School and 12-year member of the Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch in Fountain Hills, who has been active in the Leader in Training Program, My Club My Life Teen Reporters, Keystone Club and Career Preparation Programs at her branch.
Dani Haboush, a junior at Cactus Shadows High School and nine-year member of the Vestar Branch in Desert Ridge, who has been active in the Leader in Training Program, What’s Hip and Keystone Club at her branch.
Alexa Jenouri, a senior at Cactus Shadows High School and eight-year member of the Thunderbirds Branch in north Scottsdale, who has been active in the Leader in Training Program, Keystone Club, Europe Excursion Program and Money Matters Program at her branch.
Dalia Jimenez, a senior at Coronado High School and 11-year member of the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch in Arcadia, who has been active in the Keystone Club, SMART Girls, What’s Hip and Europe Excursion Program at her branch.
Alaza Loring, a senior at Salt River High School and 11-year member of the Lehi Branch on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, who has been active in the Leader in Training Program and SMART Girls, Torch Club and SMART Moves at her branch.
Marissa Masters, a senior at Saguaro High School and 10-year member of the Rose Lane Branch in Scottsdale, who is active in the Keystone Club, Europe Excursion Program, What’s Hip and Leader in Training Program at her branch.
Leonel Reyes, a junior at Arcadia High School and 11-year member of Outreach Services in Scottsdale, who has been active with the Leader in Training Program, Passport to Manhood, Torch Club and Keystone Club at his branch.
Ashley Thompson, a junior at Desert Mountain High School and seven-year member of the Virginia G. Piper Branch in north Scottsdale, who has been active in Leader in Training Program, What’s Hip, Money Matters and Keystone Club at her branch.
Kristofferson Walker, a senior at Seligman High School and seven-year member of the Peach Springs Branch on the Hualapai Indian Community, who has been active in Leader in Training Program, SMART Moves, Money Matters and Keystone Club the at his branch.
Lane Yazzie, a junior at Salt River High School and four-year member of the Red Mountain Branch on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, who has been active in the Passport to Manhood, Money Matters and Keystone Club at his branch.
Presented by Tiffany & Bosco and Great American Title, more than 600 civic and community leaders are expected at Celebrate Youth, which also includes a silent and live auction, dinner and live entertainment and performances from the Club youth. At the close of the evening, one of the 10 branch Youths of the Year will be named as the overall Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Youth of the Year, taking home a $5,000 scholarship, and all others will earn a $1,000 scholarship. Some other corporate sponsors joining Tiffany & Bosco and Great American Title are General Dynamics C4 Systems, Go Daddy, Republic Services, UMB Bank, Chasse Building Team, First Bank and First Western Trust.
“The Youth of the Year program is a premier character and leadership initiative which has been in existence for more than 60 years,” said Janet Caldarelli, co-chair of Celebrate Youth. “Recipients of the award are chosen based on each finalist’s demonstration of moral character, life goals, leadership, poise, public speaking ability and service to the Club, community and family.”
The overall 2014 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Youth of the Year will continue on to the state-level competition with other organizations from across Arizona. The winner of the state competition advances to the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition held later this year, with the opportunity to continue to the national event.
Tickets for Celebrate Youth start at $175/per person. Tables and event sponsorships are available at www.celebrateyouthgala.org or by calling 480-344-5682.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale provides a positive, safe and fun environment to help 17,500 youth of all ages and backgrounds develop the qualities needed to reach their full potential. The Club offers more than 100 youth development programs emphasizing five core areas including: the arts; character and leadership development; education and career development; health & life skills; and sports, fitness and recreation. The organization’s nine branches and multiple outreach sites are located in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Fountain Hills and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa and Hualapai Indian Communities. For more information, visit www.bgcs.org.
