Celebrating Youth Event 2023: Youth of the Year

CELEBRATING YOUTH EVENT – PROGRAM

n Welcome

Marcia Mintz, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Bailey Mitchell, 2022 BGCAZ Youth of the Year & Arizona State Youth of the Year

n Hosts

Kristen Keogh, The Social Television Network – STN TV

n Recognitions

Featured Youth of the Year Speakers

n Announcement of 2023 Youth of the Year

Marcia Mintz, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Bailey Mitchell, 2022 BGCAZ Youth of the Year & Arizona State Youth of the Year

YOUTH OF THE YEAR 2023

(Listed order of speaking)

Ajah Scott

Ladmo Branch

Tempe High School

Andre Trevino

Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch

Deer Valley High School

Anthony Flores

Thunderbirds Guadalupe Branch

Marcos De Niza High School

Daniel Ramirez

Swift Kids Branch

Glendale High School

David Garduno Saavedra

Ed Robson Family Branch

North Canyon High School

Donovan Lavergne

Chandler Compadres Branch

Chandler High School

Efrain Juarez

Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch Empower College Prep

Geraldmy Sauza

Jerry Colangelo Branch Carl Hayden High School

Josephine Yvonne Rubio

Bob Bové Branch, A Thornwood Legacy Agua Fria High School

Junior Beltran

Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch Western School of Science & Technology

Xitlalic Noemi Portillo

Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch North High School

ABOUT BGCAZ’S YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

Youth of the Year (YOY) is an annual program of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It is sponsored nationally by Toyota Financial and locally by businesses and committed individuals. Youth of the Year candidates are selected based on community service, Club service, school and life goals, along with written essays on Club Experience, Vision for America’s Youth, and Personal Brand. In addition, candidates are judged on poise, self-confidence and public speaking.

Each Club works to identify those exceptional young adults who embody the traits that Boys & Girls Clubs works to instill in each of our 20,000+ members. Once selected, these teens begin a life-changing, six-month journey. They are challenged to explore their personal history, formative experiences, find meaning in their talents and challenges and share those with the world in a 3-minute speech.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Youth of the Year program requires a strong commitment from each student. They have the opportunity to develop their writing and presentation skills and engage in specialized workshops designed to help them find their unique “voice” and story to share with our prestigious judging panel.

The 2022-23 Youth of the Year Journey is led by committed and caring team members – Branch Director Sonia Smith of the Chandler Compadres Branch; Whole Child Approach (WCA) Program Manager Yvette Medina; Area Director Kate Toci; and Branch Director Kevin Chavez of the Ed Robson Family Branch.

We hope you enjoy the stories of courage, resilience, compassion, kindness and hope from these extraordinary youth. Thanks to your generosity tonight, each of these teens has the opportunity to pursue their dreams!

2022 ARIZONA STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR WINNER

Bailey Mitchell

I couldn’t imagine my life without the Club. The programs and activities helped me grow as an individual. Each day I leave the Club as a better person.

INTRODUCING

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

LADMO BRANCH

AJAH SCOTT

Tempe High School

Ajah joined the Club five years ago and has grown into one of the Club’s most active and motivated teen members. Her greatest source of pride is her family, particularly her mother and younger sister, who also attends the Ladmo Club. She is so grateful for their unwavering support of her interests. A talented artist, Ajah volunteers to lead arts programs at the Club and has been involved in Torch Club and Keystone. She learned to play soccer at the Club and has been a member of the basketball and track teams at her school.

During her years with the Club, Ajah has enjoyed visiting college campuses with Degrees & Diplomas. She plans to attend college and pursue her dreams of becoming a working artists. With an entrepreneur’s skills, she works in digital and traditional art mediums and has been designing a website to sell her artwork to earn money.

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would like to have dinner with my mom because I want to spend quality time with her!

Q: What is your favorite thing about High School?

My favorite thing about high school has been Art class and orchestra because it challenges me in the things I like. I also couldn’t imagine high school without my friends and lunch time.

Q: What is one thing you’ve had the opportunity to do because of the Boys & Girls Club?

I’ve been able to be a leader and to have multiple opportunities to be in Torch Club and now in Keystone, and to just always be able to help in general.

LOUIS & ELIZABETH SANDS BRANCH

ANDRE TREVINO

Deer Valley High School

Andre joined the Sands Club thanks to the recommendation of his friends and the call of the basketball court more than five years ago. From the start, he connected to other kids and became a tutor and coach to younger members. Club staff encouraged his love of basketball and helped him to discover a love of and talent for art. An active Keystone member, Andre has been working with his members to volunteer time, and enjoys field trips with other members.

The family relocated from Michigan to Phoenix following some family challenges. Andre recognizes how these challenges helped to shape him and bring him closer to his mother and sister. He shares a lot of responsibility for his sister and helps ensure that she’s getting to the Club and school. This past summer, Andre was riding his bike to school and a distracted driver hit him. Thankfully his injuries were minor and he preserved through summer school to stay ahead of the curve.

Andre hopes to return to Michigan for college and continue to share his love of basketball by playing and coaching. He also plans to continue making art and winning video game competitions at the Club. A true Club kid, Andre shares that he’s one of the last members out of the Club at night and loves to help out the staff at the end of the day!

Q: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“If you don’t change, you can’t learn from your past experience.”

ANTHONY FLORES

Marcos De Niza High School

Anthony describes himself as a very shy and humble member and credits this Youth of the Journey with helping him to develop new talents and skills. Thanks to his Keystone service programs in the Club, he has learned how much you get back from volunteering. His aunt, uncle, and grandmother instilled those values in him. Now he’s learning from his experiences creating health kits for the Town of Guadalupe. He’s a member of the Yaqui tribe and feels more connected to his community thanks to these volunteer opportunities.

School has been a lifelong struggle for Anthony but he has preserved in reading and writing, and worked hard to plan for his future career. He hopes to become a mechanic. In the Club, he’s participating in the AZYouthforce Virtual Reality (VR) trainings and working on mapping out a plan and budget for the future in the Diplomas to Degrees program.

Anthony loves football and is an emerging artist. Thanks to his Club, he has been able to attend Arizona Diamondbacks games and participated in so many unique experiences. He’s grateful to the Club for the opportunity to stand as the Youth of the Year for the Thunderbirds Branch and he can already see the difference in has made in his confidence as he shares his inspiring story with others.

SWIFT KIDS BRANCH

DANIEL RAMIREZ Glendale High School

When Daniel joined the Club six years ago, he and his mom were hoping that he would find friends and connect to other youth. He quickly connected with the Club staff and made friends with other members and started to build his confidence. A few years ago, Daniel was named Kid of the Year for the Swift Branch and this experience helped him feel more comfortable with himself, and that translated into confidence at school.

Daniel has always been interested in arts and plays multi-player games. He started to draw characters from the games and Club staff encouraged him to pursue his artistic interests. During the pandemic, Daniel attended the Club as a Distance Learning Center and spent hours completing schoolwork there and diving into his Cosplay Armor project. This major artistic endeavor resulted in Daniel sculpting a full suit of foam armor. Other students have been awed by the project and it’s a source of pride for Daniel.

Daniel is grateful for the opportunities and connections that his Club has provided him. He’s a unique young man and he has truly found his passion and shared his gifts and personality with the Club! He hopes to pursue his 3D design and film production talents at Huntington University.

DAVID GARDUNO SAAVEDRA

North Canyon High School

David joined the Ed Robson Family Branch when he was 7 years old. He attends the Club every day and says that he’s the last to leave – it’s his second home. Club staff have encouraged him to push past his fears and face his health challenges (asthma) head on. David is known for his perseverance and strong commitment. When David was interested in becoming a better soccer player, he joined the Club team and they taught him to never put limits on what he could achieve.

David is active in North Canyon High School’s student government and was elected class secretary. During the week, he works with Mentor Kids USA and serves as an iLeader assisting teachers with lesson plans and homework support for younger students. He’s proud of how he’s saving money and credits the Money Matters program with teaching him how to save for the future or emergencies his family might encounter.

As a young person, David recognized that his family was struggling economically. He worried that he wouldn’t be able to complete high school, but he and his family have prioritized education. He will be one of the first in his family to attend college and he plans to be an entrepreneur. He hopes to support his family in the future and give them new opportunities.

CHANDLER COMPADRES BRANCH

DONOVAN LAVERGNE

Chandler High School

Donovan joined the Compadres Branch two years and has proved to be an exemplary leader. In 2021, he created a short film for the Chandler Film Festival competition. He is also on the wrestling team at his high school and helps his coach by volunteering and mentoring younger kids about the sport. He enjoys learning about different animals and plans to attend Arizona State University to become a veterinarian.

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would like to have dinner with President Barack Obama. He is very inspirational and humble about his accomplishments. Obama has been a big role model in my life.

Q: What advice would you give to young people about joining the Club?

The advice I would give young people joining would be to try everything. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can help you find new hobbies, motivations, and friends.

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

EFRAIN JUAREZ Empower College Prep

Efrain has shown a great commitment towards himself, his peers, family and Club throughout his time attending his Branch. He is a role model not only to his siblings but to younger members at his Club. He has his own T-shirt printing business and spends his free-time creating new designs for his customers. In the future, he wants to continue building his business by working with companies to design their uniforms along with exploring career opportunities with NASA.

Q: What is your favorite thing about High School?

My favorite thing about high school is that I get to meet people that have similar interests and struggles as me. One of my biggest interests is basketball where I get to learn and compete with others. It challenges me to be better.

Q: What is one thing had the opportunity to do because of the Boys & Girls Club?

My biggest opportunity and favorite thing that has happened at the Boys & Girls Club is that I got to make more friends that actually feel comfortable with me and who I am. I get to be myself at the Club.

Q: If you could live in a book, tv show, or movie, what would it be and why?

If I could live in a tv show I would choose All American because it shows me that whatever happens in life, I have to stay strong and keep going.

JERRY COLANGELO BRANCH

GERALDMY SAUZA

Carl Hayden High School

Geraldmy has spent years participating in Club activities and volunteering her time to better the community. As a member in Torch Club, she would tutor younger Club members. She also became a vinyl cut machine expert at her Club and assists in making stickers for our Volunteer Services Department. She wants to serve her country by joining the Army and also aspires to become the next Gordon Ramsay. After serving in the military, she plans on becoming a top-rated chef and opening her own restaurant.

Q: What is your favorite thing about High School?

My favorite thing about high school is JROTC because we do community service and help others in need.

Q: What is one thing you’ve had the opportunity to do because of the Boys & Girls Club?

I got the chance to visit Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor with the Torch Club. The Club has been able to give me lots of new experiences and things to do.

Q: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”Albert Einstein

THORNWOOD LEGACY

JOSEPHINE YVONNE RUBIO Agua Fria High School

Josephine has always shown strength and leadership through her actions. While attending her Club, she has never hesitated to lend a hand and help her community. Even though she has faced challenges from a young age, Josephine always faces them with her head held high and keeps going.

In recent years, Josephine lost close friends and family members, and it’s changed her perspective on how she will embrace her independence and the future. She secured a job as soon as soon as she was able to drive, and is building her financial independence by working and starting a photography business. Josephine still finds time to be successful in school, volunteer at the Club and is completing her high school degree.

In the future, she plans to attend a community college to pursue business and photography.

Q: What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

My favorite subject is English because it opens my mind to new possibilities, vocabulary; and, reading is one of my favorite hobbies.

Q: Favorite memory at your Club?

My favorite memories would have to be movie nights and basketball games!

SPENCER D. & MARY JANE STEWART BRANCH

JUNIOR BELTRAN Western School of Science & Technology

Junior has been a Club member for 11 years and while doing so, has participated in everything the Club has to offer. He has been involved in community clean ups as a Torch Club member and is active in many programs at school involving college readiness, mediation and advocacy for awareness and a program that compiles writings to attempt in publishing them.

These past few years, Junior has faced major health challenges. He decided to get healthier thanks to a doctor’s recommendation and started boxing and weight lifting. He educated himself on what works, and found the right mix to stay healthy. This resulted in a major transformation that helped him navigate his next trial. Junior’s doctors found a malignant, cancerous tumor in his shoulder. Today, he is in remission. And he is grateful to his family and Club family for their support. He’s developed a resilience and positive mindset as a result of these obstacles.

Junior is determined to attend Hawaii University because of how friendly and Earth-conscious all of the locals were. He hopes to study marine biology and also pursue a career in business.

Q: Where do you think you would be without the Boys & Girls Club?

The Club is a big part of where I learned how to speak English. I’m sure without the extra social outlet, I wouldn’t be able to communicate as well as I do.

Q: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“Time will tell.” - Lucius Annaeus Seneca I like this quote because everything will pan out in the long run.

XITLALIC NOEMI PORTILLO North High School

Xitlalic has always demonstrated great leadership and social skills in the programs at her Club. Selfdescribed as a shy person, she’s been involved with many of the clubs within Gabel and has taken on leadership roles within those programs. When she was in the 8th grade, she participated in Read Better, Be Better which allowed her to help younger members who struggle with reading. She is currently a member of Mecha which focuses on cultural diversity and languages.

A motivated teen, Xitlalic holds a job outside of the Club as well and works nights and weekends to save money. In the future, she plans to attend Glendale Community College and then transfer to University of Arizona after 2 years. She is planning to major in Criminal Justice to help the community in any way that she can.

Q: What have you had the opportunity to do because of the Boys & Girls Club?

I’ve had the opportunity to learn new things about sports, arts, and my friends. I’ve also helped younger members with their homework and taught them how to read.

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would like to have dinner with my grandma because she made the best food. I miss when we would always bake and cook together, even if it came out tasting horrible.

Q: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston S. Churchill

Sonia

Yvette

YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

Smith, Branch Director of the Chandler Compadres Branch

Medina, Whole Child Approach (WCA) Program Manager

Kate Toci, Area Director

Kevin Chavez, Branch Director of the Ed Robson Family Branch

BGCAZ CELEBRATING YOUTH EVENT COMMITTEE

Heather Budzien, Chair Cassidy Campana Sam Fowler

Jennifer Ensley Lisa Ellis Kim Madrigal, Ph.D.

YOY STYLING

Adia Watson

Part of our Youth of the Year journey includes a special shopping trip to select dresses and suits for the upcoming formal events.

Our sincere thanks to Travis Anglin and Barry Schoeneman from Men’s Apparel Club for providing expert styling for our candidates.

YOY NETWORKING TRAINING

Throughout the YOY Journey, the team plans special events for the teens to help them develop social skills and professional connections. John Knight and Dr. Gordy Fairchild opened their home earlier this month for a formal dinner party to honor the YOYs. The teens enjoyed appetizers and sharpened their networking skills with BGCAZ supporters. They learned basic etiquette while enjoying a gourmet meal with other guests. These life skills will help them develop positive relationships with others and builds their self-confidence as they navigate the post-high school world.

YOUTH OF THE YEAR CHAMPIONS –

Special thanks to our CONNECT supporters! Their invaluable coaching and networking practice early in this process helped to develop tonight’s honorees. They spent time helping the teens with their speeches and sharing tips on presenting. Tonight, CONNECT joins the teens as they celebrate their achievements and this year’s Youth of the Year is named.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

YOY STAFF MENTORS

Ismael Espana

Bob Bové Branch, a Thornwood Legacy

Kate Toci

Jerry Colangelo Branch

Sonia Smith

Chandler Compadre Branch

Johana Lopez

Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch

Ana Rodriguez-Murillo

Ladmo Tempe Branch

Kevin Chavez

Ed Robson Family Branch

German Celaya

Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch

Martha Delgado

Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch

Jason Reynolds Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch

Eric Watkins Swift Kids Branch

Michael Luck

Thunderbirds Guadalupe Branch

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR YOY 2023 JUDGING PANEL

Laura French, Director, State Government Relations, TSMC, Arizona

Michael O’Connor, Owner/Managing

Partner, Rio Grande Waste Services

Dawn Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Social Impact, Intel Corporation

J.K. Symancyk, CEO, PetSmart

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

JOE HENDERSON AWARD

Tonight, the winner of the Youth of the Year title will receive the Joe Henderson Memorial Award.

Joe Henderson was a Chandler Compadre whose passion was giving back to the community. He was very dedicated to Boys & Girls Clubs. Known for his incredible sense of humor and love of life, Joe Henderson was an inspiration to all who met him. Moving to Arizona in 1987, he dedicated himself to being an active citizen within the Chandler community. In 1990, he joined the Chandler Compadres with a dream of improving opportunities in Chandler.

One of Joe’s true loves was flying, which is how he spent most of his days. Upon moving to Arizona, he purchased San Tan Dusters, beginning a career as a successful crop duster. Joe always said a fortunate man was one who went to work and looked forward to it! Joe was lucky to love his work, and we are fortunate to have been able to share our lives with Joe. Prior to his passing, he was elected President of the Compadres and Compadre of the Year.

OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A critical component of Boys & Girls Clubs programming is our Scholarship Program, which helps Club Alumni members pursue their dreams of a post-secondary education. Proceeds from this Youth of the Year event support the programs and activities offered at Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as provide scholarship and financial aid to qualifying members. Since the inception of the scholarship program, over 300 Club members have been awarded college scholarships.

If you would like more information on donating to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, please contact us at 602-954-8182 or visit www.bgcaz.org/donate.

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT FOR BGCAZ ALUMNI + PARSONS

Thanks to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, BGCAZ employs a College Access and Success Manager who supports our Club alumni as they pursue their post-secondary education and certificate programs. Many of our students are first-generation college students and this additional personalized support helps to ensure their long-term success in their career and academic programs. Last year, BGCAZ distributed $75,874 in scholarship support to 83 Club Alumni.

OUR EDUCATION FUND

The education fund is an account set aside for our current Youth of the Year candidates to use towards their post-secondary education, including paying for college or technical training school tuition. If the candidate is a high school sophomore or junior, they are able to use the funds for college accredited classes, school supplies or trainings. The education fund is also available to the candidates who are seniors to help them with other expenses a traditional scholarship may not cover.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS FORMULA FOR IMPACT

Boys & Girls Clubs employs a Formula for Impact for how the organization impacts the life of a child.

Our programs are organized around four Priority Outcomes:

Academic Success

Members engage in daily academic enrichment activity with supportive adults facilitating homework help and education programs that complement and reinforce what youth learn during the school day. Rooted in social-emotional development practices, members develop key skills such as: curiosity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

Good Character and Leadership

Members have access to caring and supportive adults who help foster resilience to challenges, stress, and bullying, while also learning to treat each other with respect. Members demonstrate leadership and service to others in the Club and in the community, and understand their rights and responsibilities as community members.

Healthy Lifestyles

Members engage in daily physical activity, make healthy nutrition choices, employ good resistance and decision-making skills, and refrain from participating in risky behaviors.

Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness

Members engage in career pathway and workforce readiness learning and internship opportunities to explore a variety of careers in order to develop their own personalized plan for success.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 20,000+ young people in grades K-12. At Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people.

For over 75 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity and opportunity for youth through academic, social, and workforce opportunities. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults and their community.

BGCAZ is a 501(c)3 (nonprofit) organization and donations are tax deductible. Federal Tax ID: 86-0550646. Arizona State QCO Code: 20331 (Arizona DOR Form 321) Mesa Arts Academy (School Tax Credit – CTDS #078613101 on AZDOR Form 322) BGCAZ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, genetics, veteran or disability status. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

To request

Chilo Figueroa, Director of Facilities & Safety, at 602-954-8182. BGCAZ se compromete a proporcionar acceso, igualdad de oportunidades y adaptaciones razonables para personas con discapacidades en el empleo, sus servicios, programas y actividades. Para solicitar adaptaciones razonables, comuníquese con Chilo Figueroa, Director de Instalaciones y Seguridad, al 602-954-8182.