Meet the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula's 2007 Youth of the Year

Luis, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula's 2007 Youth of the Year, is a junior at Menlo Atherton High School . He was born in California and spent his first two years in Redwood City . At two years of age, Luis and his family moved to Mexico to create a better life for themselves. They moved back to California three years later. When they arrived, Luis' parents decided to enroll him in a Spanish language school in order to help him with his homework as they did not speak English. A few years later, they realized that Luis did need to learn English so he immediately transferred schools. It was a very hard transition for Luis. He realized that he needed additional support. Luis became a member of the Menlo Park Clubhouse in 2002.Through coming to the Club after school, Luis' English improved. He became involved in the SuccessMaker academic program and the Keystone Leadership Club. Currently, Luis works at the Menlo Park Clubhouse as a Teen staff. With the money that he makes, Luis helps support his family. He has been a member of the Menlo Atherton High School soccer team for two years while maintaining a 3.5 GPA. He aspires to attend a four year college and wants to study computer science. Luis gives back selflessly to his family, his community and other Club members.

Our 2007 Youth of the Year Finalists

Since he was six years old, Joseph has been a member at the Boys and Girls Club in Redwood City . Over the years, Joseph has participated in sports, math, science and music, however, what really drew Joseph to Clubs were the friendly staff and his friends. Joseph feels that the Club taught him values and life lessons that he wouldn't have learned elsewhere. Spending most of his time at the club, Joseph learned how to play the guitar and has become interested in the music of Bob Dylan, Paco De Lucia and B. B. King. Currently working as the Performing Arts Assistant, under John Colleton, Joseph aspires to teach guitar and to keep the tradition of music at the club alive and strong.

Yvette grew up in Waltham , Mass with her mother who worked multiple jobs while earning a college degree. Together, they moved to several public housing sites. Yvette first attended the Boys & Girls Club in Waltham during her summer vacations even after her mom remarried when Yvette was 8 years old. Yvette volunteered with children in domestic violence shelters and in public housing throughout this time. At 14, Yvette along with her mother, stepfather and newly born brother moved from Mass. to Mountain View , CA. Yvette felt very alone. She decided to sponsor a child in Rwanda but this was not enough. She branched out, helping children by babysitting and organizing sports activities. In 2006 Yvette volunteered at the East Palo Alto Boys & Girls Club and joined the Keystone leadership program. Yvette helps kids with their homework and is a peer counselor.

Our 2007 Youth of the Year Nominees

Mervin G. Morris Family Clubhouse:

Arnaldo, a 17 year old student at High Tech High and a club member for nearly 2 years, has overcome many obstacles. Not long ago, Arnaldo was expelled from high school and was sentenced to juvenile detention. Instead of getting his GED, which he contemplated, Arnoldo decided to go back to school. He originally became involved at the Club through the music studio where he would make hip hop beats but after getting in to trouble he wanted to turn his life around. Arnoldo joined the Keystone club- a youth leadership club that focuses on volunteer work, community service and building skills for the future. Arnoldo also became a teen staff member at the Clubs.

Being the oldest of a hard-working, first generation family Emma, a senior at Sequoia High School , works hard for a better life than that of her parents. Not only is Emma the captain of her high school soccer team, she has also been selected as “Most Inspirational” by her school peers and has won the “Perfect Attendance” award. Emma hopes her academic performance, soccer abilities and her determination to succeed will help her receive a college scholarship. She would like to pursue a career in architecture. Emma has only been a club member for 6 months but has already joined the Keystone Club, tutors young club members, teaches soccer and assists with cooking classes.

Francisco, a 17 year old senior at Sequoia High School , has been a club member for one year. Francisco's main reason for coming to the clubhouse is the performing arts program, where he plays the piano, participates in choir, and enjoys creative writing. He also takes advantage of the Keystone club and the guidance provided by the staff members. His mentors motivate him to graduate from high school, apply to colleges and get degrees in music and architecture. Francisco wants to reach his full potential and become an architect, an artist and an inspiration for the people of his community.

Throughout his life, Ivan has participated in music programs, sports and the student council. Now at Menlo Atherton High School , Ivan is not officially enrolled in the leadership class but helps out as much as possible. He was nominated as, “the big man on campus,” which represents his attitude toward fashion, popularity, and kindness towards other people. At 17, Ivan was introduced to the music industry when he started engineering and producing for one of the biggest independent record labels in the Bay Area. He works hard to get good grades in school, be productive at work and participates in activities at the Club.

Lizeth, a 17 year old senior at Sequoia High School , became involved with the Clubs as a volunteer. Later, Lizeth joined the Keystone club, a program to help youth develop leadership skills. One of the community service projects that she has facilitated with the Keystone club was a community beautification project on earth day. Lizeth also helps serve lunch, snacks and tutor younger club members. She hopes to get into a good college and make a difference in her community. Lizeth also hopes that one day she can become a professional caterer and with her own business.

Victor , age 17, has been a club member since his eighth grade year. At that time, the music studio was his biggest priority but over the years Victor has become involved in the Keystone club- a youth leadership program. Victor currently lives with his uncle, works to pay rent and is working on graduating from high school; music continues to be a big part of Victor's life. The knowledge that he has received at the Boys and Girls Club has made him a strong person. Victor tries to instill that sense of power in younger club members.

McNeil Family Clubhouse:

Hashina is a sophomore at East Palo Alto High School . She lives with her mom, her one younger sister and two younger brothers. She has been a member of the club since 2004. Since that time, Hashina has been involved in Keystone, Money Matters, Career Launch and Girls for a Change. Hashina is currently a member of our teen staff and works mainly in the game room and in the office. Hashina enjoys going to the mall, hanging out with her friends, and coming to the club. Hashina has aspirations of attending Stanford University to study medicine so that she can become a doctor.

Martin, 18, has been a member of the McNeil Family Clubhouse ever since he and his family moved to the United States some six years ago. Martin returned to the club last year and has been an outstanding volunteer since. Whether it's our Achievement Matters! Ceremony or a carnival, Martin is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. His volunteer spirit and his pleasant demeanor and attitude are unparalleled.  Martin plans on finishing his senior year, maintaining good grades, and going to college where he would like to major in criminal justice and become a private investigator. 

Moldaw-Zaffaroni Clubhouse:

Nola has been a member of the East Palo Alto Clubhouse for 3 years and attends everyday. She is the Keystone Club President and plays an important role in leading teen programs like Triple Play, Money Matters, and Career Launch. She is also involved in college tours, field trips, and community service events. Nola is a Teen Staff member. She lives with her mother, father and five siblings in East Palo Alto . She came to America with her sister Vena and lived with extended family in Salt Lake City , Utah . Five years later she moved to East Palo Alto, where the rest of her family came from American Samoa to reunite. Nola is a strong role model to her younger siblings. She is a sophomore at Carlmont and in two years, she will be the first person in her family to graduate from high school. Nola wants to go to college to become a doctor.

Youth of the Year Program

The youth of the year program is an awards initiative administered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It recognizes outstanding contributions by a Club member to their family, school, community and the local Boys & Girls Club where they are a member. It also recognizes youth for overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. The program has been nationally sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation since 1947.

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula , each youth of the year nominee participates in both private and public interviews by a panel of city representatives and local business leaders. The finalist is then crowned Youth of the Year and goes to the regional level to compete against winners from other clubs. If they remain successful the winner goes on to compete at the state level and finally, competes at the national level.

Last year, Elizabeth Quintero, one of our Redwood City club members, won the state youth of the Year competition making her the 2006 California Youth of the Year.