From left to right: Erik, Gloria, Julissa and Colbie, our Youth of the Year!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica is thrilled to announce our 47th Annual Youth of the Year Candidates! Youth of the Year recognizes the achievements and contributions of extraordinary young people who have demonstrated service to the Club, community and family, as well as academic success and leadership abilities.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Colbie
Colbie attends the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s Main Branch. Growing up surrounded by negative influences, the Club provides Colbie with a safe and secure place of acceptance. Although he didn’t like the Club at first, he became involved in many Club programs and noticed the positive impact that the Club had on his life, academically and personally. Involved in both Keystone and L.I.T. Colbie has become a great leader amongst his peers.
And here are our other awesome candidates who will serve as ambassadors for The Club for the rest of the year!
Erik
Erik attends the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s Mar Vista Gardens Branch. Erik’s most defining moment with the Club was his community service trip to South Africa. He learned about a different culture and he can now personally attest to the impact that a Club can make regardless of location. In his words, “the Club pushes me to be the best person I can be and provides me with a feeling like I can achieve anything.”
Gloria
Gloria attends the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s Pacific Branch. Before the Club, Gloria was timid, unwilling to express herself and felt like her opinion didn’t matter. Through programs such as Leaders In Training and SMART Girls and with the support of Club staff, Gloria’s confidence grew. She learned that she could make a difference and eventually found her voice, which she now uses to raise awareness for Club, community and global issues.
Julissa
Julissa attends the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s Berkeley Branch. Her appreciation of the Club stems from her position as a role model to the younger members. In her words, “Most teenagers would rather hang out with people their own age but I prefer to go to the Club and spend time with the younger members because it makes me feel happy, appreciated, and they motivate me to be inspirational.”
