Celebrating Youth Event
Celebrating Youth Event Program
Welcome
■ Yarieliz Lopez, 2024 Youth of the Year Winner
Hosts
■ Emily Childress, Branch Director, Bob & Renee Parsons Branch
Martha Delgado, Branch Director, Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch
Eric Watkins, Branch Director, Swift Kids Branch
Recognitions
■ Featured Youth of the Year Speakers – see list below
Announcement of 2025 Youth of the Year
■ Marcia Mintz, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
Yarieliz Lopez, 2024 Youth of the Year Winner
Youth of the Year:
■ Angello Porter-Johnson Chandler Compadres Branch
■ Laylah Ramsey
Jerry Colangelo Branch
■ Miguel Moctezuma Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch
■ Gabriel Garcia Gilbert Branch
■ Koleson Cox
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/ Peoria Branch
■ Alexis Garibay Ed Robson Family Branch
■ Evani Grijalva Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch
■ Amaya Gomez Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch
■ Jose “Junior” Beltran Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch
■ Brandon Rivas Superstition Mountain Branch
■ Laysha Fing Swift Kids Branch
The Celebrating Youth Event 2025 is Proudly
Presented Through the Generosity of
We Would Also Like to Thank and Recognize our Sponsors of Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars
Our YOYs will be honored at this very special event in March.
Title Sponsor
■ Amplify Capital Advisors
VIP Investor Sponsor
■ Raymond James
Presenting Sponsors
■ Coronado West
■ Wells Fargo
■ General Dynamics
Youth of the Year Sponsors
■ Arizona Diamondbacks
■ Arizona Public Service
■ Insight
■ Lockton
■ Phoenix Scaffolding
■ Universal Technical Institute
About BGC’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 and Kohl’s, and locally by businesses and committed community leaders. Youth of the Year candidates are selected based on community service, Club service, academic excellence, and their goals for the future. During the application process, they gather letters of recommendation, craft resumes and cover letters, and complete written essays on their Club experience, personal growth, and what matters to them. 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 of the Valley works to instill in our 12,000+ members. Our Youth of the Year program requires a strong commitment from each student. Once selected for the program, these teens begin a transformative journey where they are challenged to share their personal experiences, from their struggles to impressive accomplishments and dreams for the future. They develop their writing and presentation skills and engage in specialized workshops designed to help them find their unique voice and story to share with the judging panel.
The 2024-25 Youth of the Year Journey is led by committed and caring team members – Branch Director Eric Watkins of the Swift Kids Branch; Branch Director Martha Delgado of the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch; Branch Director Emily Childress of the Bob & Renee Parsons Branch; and Teen Pathways & Career Manager Jason Reynolds. Special thanks to Tomas Stanton of CASA for his speech writing and performance coaching.
We hope you enjoy the stories of courage, resilience, compassion, kindness and hope from these extraordinary youth. Thanks to your generosity today, each of these teens have the opportunity to pursue their dreams!
2024 Youth of the Year Winner
YARIELIZ
“When I arrived at the Club, I realized I wasn’t alone. The Club welcomed me with open arms, and I found a new family.”
Introducing our 2025 Youth of the Year
Chandler Compadres Branch
Angello Porter-Johnson
Sophomore, Age 15
Chandler High School
Angello is a sophomore at Chandler High School and has been attending the Chandler Compadres Branch for over a year. He has been an active member of his Club from the start, as it gives him a place where he can unwind and find support amid his busy life.
Angello lives with his mom and six siblings, and as an older brother often takes on a caretaker role at home to ensure everyone else is settled before focusing on himself. The Club gives Angello a chance to just be a kid, playing volleyball, basketball, or sharpening his gaming skills with the other teens.
Angello is treasurer of the Chandler Branch Keystone Club and takes initiative to organize teen events like food drives and fundraisers. Keystone has taught him leadership and financial skills while giving him an outlet for his passion of giving back to the Chandler community. Outside the Club, Angello is captain of his school’s esports team, where he supports his teammates, manages gaming facilities, and makes tournament preparations for video games like Smash Bros. and Rocket League. Angello credits the Club with helping him be a better gamer and team captain, because the staff have taught him skills like discipline, composure, and effective communication to help him navigate challenges.
After high school. Angello plans to attend college and study biological engineering, supported by his family and Club staff. For Angello, the Club is more than an after-school program. It’s a second home where he can learn, grow in confidence, and contribute to his community.
Jerry Colangelo Branch
Laylah Ramsey
Junior, Age 15
Penn Foster High School
Laylah is a junior at Penn Foster High School and has been attending the Jerry Colangelo Branch for two years. She started taking online classes from home during the pandemic and instantly missed the social interaction of a traditional classroom environment. To fill this gap, she joined her Club’s teen center.
Right away, the Club became a place for Laylah to be herself and feel genuinely cared for. The welcoming environment and dedicated staff have made a profound impact on her life, especially Miss Hailey. Miss Hailey has been a constant source of support for Laylah, helping her navigate the stress of difficult personal obstacles like mental health challenges within her family and her parents’ recent divorce.
At the Club, Laylah is president of Keystone Club and enjoys planning events like family nights and teen tournaments. She knows the leadership and organizational skills required to be Keystone president will benefit her future, and she also enjoys being the Club’s designated event photographer to fuel her passion for taking pictures!
Laylah lives with her mom and three siblings, including her twin brother. The Club offers Laylah the confidence to dream big, and she plans to attend an in-state university to become an auto mechanic or a teacher.
Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch
Miguel Moctezuma
Sophomore, Age 15
Madison Highland Prep
Miguel, a sophomore at Madison Highland Prep, has been attending the Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch for 10 years. He started at the Club when he was 5 as his mom looked for an affordable childcare solution, and Gabel immediately became a haven for him.
In addition to being a safe place to go, the Club provided Miguel with a community where he felt valued and supported through challenging times. He experienced bullying in middle school which made attending his classes difficult, but the Club offered him a refuge where he was celebrated for being himself. The Club helped him discover his love for esports, a hobby he takes part in with his friends at Gabel.
Miguel is a driven and compassionate teen, and his ultimate dream is to support his family and give back to his mom. His academic excellence, marked by earning a spot on the Principal’s List in his first year of high school, reflects his determination to succeed. Miguel hopes to earn a scholarship to allow him to study architecture after high school, aspiring to eventually design and build a home for his mom.
Gilbert Branch
Gabriel Garcia
Freshman, Age 14
Mesquite High School
Gabriel is a freshman at Mesquite High School and a two-year member of the Gilbert Branch. He is known among his peers and Club staff as a natural leader and mentor, embodying kindness, compassion, and dedication to others.
Over the summer, Gabriel took on the AZYouthforce Emerging Leaders internship program, where he got to step up as a leader within his Club to help manage groups of kids, navigate through their challenges, and find confidence in his leadership abilities. Gabriel loved the opportunity to assist the staff and mentor younger Gilbert members.
Outside the Club, Gabriel enjoys participating in his school’s theatre and arts programs. He is dedicated to community service and helping those in need, as his own journey hasn’t been without challenges. During middle school, his family faced financial struggles, relocating to a one-bedroom motel for nearly two years as his mom worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives.
Despite these hardships, Gabriel emerged with resilience and gratitude, motivated to create a better future for himself and his family. Gabriel is passionate about art and creativity. He plans to attend trade school to hone his artistic skills and aspires to open his own studio.
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch
Koleson Cox
Sophomore, Age 15
Centennial High School
Koleson, a sophomore at Centennial High School, has been a dedicated member of the Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch for the past year. Koleson is a highly motivated student, proud of his high GPA and enrollment in honors and AP courses. He’s been selected for the Honor Roll, the Pride of Paseo academic award, and earned recognition from his school’s Honor Choir. His future goals are just as impressive, with plans to attend an in-state university to study math, history, and music.
At school and in the community, Koleson is a natural leader. He has contributed significantly to his student council by organizing and running school events. At the Club, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing Peoria’s Keystone program, further showcasing his leadership skills and willingness to take initiative.
Koleson has faced a number of personal challenges, including navigating the effects of divorces within his family, which have shaped the kind of person he aspires to be and brought out his resilience. Koleson’s positive attitude, infectious energy, and commitment to bettering himself and his peers make him a standout member of his Club and community.
Ed Robson Family Branch
Alexis Garibay
Senior, Age 17
Paradise Valley High School
Alexis is a senior at Paradise Valley High School and has been an active member of the Ed Robson Family Branch for 11 years. The oldest of four siblings, Alexis is a natural caretaker who often takes on the responsibility of helping support his younger brothers and sisters.
At the Club, Alexis is a dedicated member of Keystone and has contributed countless hours to serving his Club and community. The Club has supported him through challenges like navigating mental health and his parents’ divorce. He loves to give back to the peers and staff who have always been there for him. Alexis has experiences with academic struggles but is proud of himself for learning that failure can often be the largest key to success.
He is known among Club staff for his leadership and helping guide his peers. He constantly motivates other teens to participate in programs and encourages them to have positive behavior. Alexis is also passionate about soccer and wrestling. The Club has been so impactful in his life that he is motivated to pursue a future career in education, including working at his Club as a staff member.
Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch
Evani Grijalva
Junior, Age 16
Empower College Prep
Evani is a junior at Empower College Prep and has been a Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch member for seven years. She started attending the Club because she needed a safe place to go after school, and while she was initially nervous about the loud, fun atmosphere, she quickly found her footing and met some of her best friends.
At the Club, Evani loves meeting teens from other schools and spending time with the staff. The staff give her a positive outlet when she needs to confide in someone or get advice on how to navigate challenges with kindness and understanding. The Club has helped Evani embrace her unique and shy personality, while encouraging her to be more outgoing at times, too.
Now as a Club teen, Evani strives to help her peers feel safe and supported just as the Club has helped her. She’s involved in Keystone, where she enjoys learning leadership skills and being part of something bigger than herself. It helps her grow in confidence, ready to take on her dreams while also staying true to herself.
Evani lives with her grandmother, aunt, and dad. She’s the middle child of seven siblings, most of whom live with her mom in North Carolina. After graduation, she dreams of starting her own company and plans to study business at ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business.
Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch
Amaya Gomez
Junior, Age 17
Deer Valley High School
Amaya is a junior at Deer Valley High School and has been attending the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch for two years. Amaya was looking for a way to fill her time after school when she wasn’t in season for golf or soccer, and her best friends encouraged her to join the Club with them. Amaya quickly began to feel right at home and now treasures the time she spends in the Sands teen center. Activities like teen field trips to Northern Arizona University and volunteering to pack food for the homeless stand out among her Club experiences, because they’ve allowed her to explore her options for the future and give back to her community.
Amaya has seven siblings, with another one on the way! She was born and raised in Arizona and wants to stay in her home state near the rest of her family after graduation. She aspires to attend Northern Arizona University and enter the medical field, with a particular interest in ultrasound technology. The Club has been instrumental in encouraging Amaya to reach for the stars, helping her build confidence, express herself, and work towards her dreams.
Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch
Jose “Junior” Beltran
Senior, Age 18
Western School of Science & Technology
Junior is a senior at the Western School of Science & Technology and a proud 13-year member of the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch. As the middle sibling in his family, Junior is supported by his brothers and sisters and hardworking mother. His mom’s resilience and faith have been a daily inspiration for him and taught him the values of perseverance and determination.
Junior is a motivated student and balances numerous extracurricular activities, including student council, sports, Keystone, and a side business as a content creator. He participated in AZYouthforce’s Bayless Entrepreneurship program, which helped him achieve personal training certifications and expand his business and clients. Junior plans to continue as an entrepreneur with his content creation and marketing company after graduation.
Junior was diagnosed with cancer at an early age and was able to overcome this hardship with astounding positivity and faith. His determination and growth mindset makes him a great mentor to younger Club members, especially as he helps with sports like soccer and basketball. He takes time to coach other members on sportsmanship, kindness, and how to lead with compassion.
Superstition Mountain Branch
Brandon Rivas
Junior, Age 16
Apache Junction High School
Brandon is a junior at Apache Junction High School and has been a standout member of the Superstition Mountain Branch for the last five years. A self-described shy and softspoken person, Brandon is known among his peers for his kind and thoughtful personality that comes to life at the Club. His identical twin brother is one of his closest companions, and they are even back-to-back Youth of the Year candidates for their Club!
Brandon credits the Club with helping him grow in confidence and develop important life skills like patience and having good manners. He has made numerous close friends through the Club and always looks forward to seeing the staff, especially Mr. Ryan, who inspires Brandon with his humor and positivity. Brandon is passionate about building and designing, with Club programs like LEGO Robotics allowing him to explore these interests. Now as a teen member, Brandon loves mentoring the younger members in the program by helping them learn to code and create their robots.
Brandon aspires to become a welder after high school and is already enrolled in the East Valley Institute of Technology to bring his goals closer, gaining hands-on experience to prepare for the workforce after graduation.
Swift Kids Branch
Laysha Fing
Senior, Age 17
Student Choice High School
Laysha is a senior at Student Choice High School and has been a proud member of the Swift Kids Branch for 11 years. In addition to her friends and the staff at the Club, she’s supported by her close-knit family including her mom, dad, sister, and their dog, Duma.
Laysha is a dedicated athlete and has played volleyball and soccer for five years. Though naturally shy, Laysha’s journey at the Club has transformed her into a more confident and outgoing person. In the beginning of her time at the Swift Kids Branch, she often kept to herself and worried about what others might think. But with the encouragement of the Club staff, she found the courage to speak up, make connections, and embrace who she is. Now, Laysha is known for her humor and the contagious laughter she shares with other teens at the Club. She is an active member of Keystone and loves serving the community alongside her Club friends.
Beyond sports and Club programs, Laysha has always dreamed big. After graduation, she plans to attend cosmetology school and launch her own boutique to combine her love for hair, makeup, and fashion design. Her goal is to create a space where she can help others feel confident and beautiful, just as the Club helped her grow into the self-assured young woman she is today. For Laysha, giving back and lifting others up is what inspires her bright future.
Special Thanks To All Those Who Made This Event Possible!
Youth Of The Year Journey Leaders And Celebrating Youth Event Committee
Eric Watkins, Branch Director, Swift Kids Branch
Martha Delgado, Branch Director, Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch
Emily Childress, Branch Director of the Bob & Renee Parsons Branch
Jason Reynolds, Teen Pathways & Career Manager
With Support From
■ Heather Budzien
■ Cassidy Campana
■ Jennifer Ensley
■ Carly Mertz
■ Marena Sever
■ Adia Watson
BGCAZ’s Leaders
■ David Casanova
■ Jordan Freeman
■ Kyle Lapointe
■ Andrew Leger
■ Joe Richardson
YOY Styling
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 from Men’s Apparel Club for providing expert styling and suits for our gentlemen. Our YOY Journey Leaders assisted our young ladies with styling and dress selection at Arizona Mills.
BGCAZ Branch Directors
■ Maria Parra Castro Bob Bové Branch, a Thornwood Legacy
■ Taylor Miller Cartwright Branch & Palm Lane Branch
■ Johana Lopez Jerry Colangelo Branch
■ Jaime Fernandez Compadres Chandler Branch
■ Kaimen Slay Arizona Diamondbacks Branch, a Kieckhefer Family Legacy
■ Dianna Fernandez Eisenhower Branch & Stevenson Branch
■ Andrea Luna Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch
■ Jocselyn Powell Gilbert Branch
■ Jennifer Cummings Grant Woods Branch
■ Michelle Parra Heatherbrae Elementary Branch & Bret Tarver Elementary Branch
■ Eric James I.G. Homes Branch
■ Karly Urquhart-Forland Kingman Branch
■ Ana Rodriguez-Murillo Ladmo Branch
■ Sarah Cornwell Littleton Branch
■ Jasmine Cheatham Metro North Branch
■ Lexia Sandoval North Tempe Branch
■ Emily Childress The Bob & Renee Parsons Branch
■ Clarissa Plascencia Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/ Peoria Branch
■ Kevin Hardy Ed Robson Family Branch
■ Corisha McIntyre Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch
■ Martha Delgado Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch
■ Dallas Gray San Tan Heights Branch & Skyline Ranch Elementary Branch
■ Jessica Adame
Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch
■ Angela Davis Superstition Mountain Branch
■ Eric Watkins Swift Kids Branch
■ Litzy Rubio Thunderbirds Guadalupe Branch
■ Niku Hodge UMOM Branch
■ Rowena Regalado Yuma Branch
Special Thanks to our YOY 2025 Judging Panel
■ Dr. Kimberly Britt President, Phoenix College
■ Trevor Strawhecker Director of Enterprise Sales, Google Cloud
■ Louis Ierino VP of Payment & Account Operations, Desert Financial Credit Union
■ Scott Vanderpool President, Bank of America - Phoenix
Joe Henderson Award
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-time college goers and this additional personalized support helps to ensure their longterm success in their career and academic programs. Last year, BGCAZ distributed $88,960 in scholarship support among 74 Club alumni and awarded an additional $166,200 in scholarships.
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.
Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarship
As part of Whataburger’s commitment to serving its communities, Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarships will be awarded to three of our outstanding 2025 Youth of the Year candidates in the amount of $1,000 each. These scholarships will assist our teens in achieving their post-secondary dreams.
Health & Well-Being
Boys & Girls Clubs Formula For Impact
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley employs a Formula for Impact for how the organization impacts the life of a child.
Our programs are organized around four Priority Outcomes:
Young people make informed, healthy decisions that contribute to their overall well-being.
Character & Leadership
Young people stay true to their values, demonstrate good citizenship and drive positive change.
Academic Success
Young people are self-directed learners who succeed academically.
Life & Workforce Readiness
Young people are equipped to navigate adulthood and pursue a fulfilling, economically viable career path.
We provide youth and teens with environments, relationships and experiences that build essential skills and equip them to achieve positive outcomes.
Essential Skills Young people use social skills to communicate and interact with others and are emotionally equipped to navigate challenging situations.
Health & Well-Being Young people make informed, healthy decisions that contribute to their overall well-being. Character & Leadership Young people stay true to their values, demonstrate good citizenship and drive positive change.
Positive Outcomes
A High-Quality Club Experience
Youth & Teens in Our Communities
Academic Success Young people are self-directed learners who succeed academically.
Readiness Young people are equipped to navigate adulthood and pursue a ful lling, economically viable career path.
Life & Workforce
Supportive Relationships
Meaningful Programs & Experiences
Safe, Inclusive Environments
Journey to Youth of the Year
What’s next for Youth of the Year
The 2025 BGCAZ Youth of the Year winner will move on to compete at the Arizona State Youth of the Year competition in April, proudly presented by Fiesta Sports Foundation with support from Swire Coca-Cola.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ)
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 12,000+ young people in grades K-12. In 30+ Clubs across Arizona, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For more than 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.
Services Center 4309 E. Belleview St., Bldg. 14 • Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 954-8182 • BGCAZ.org
BGCAZ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, genetics, veteran or disability status. Furthermore, BGCAZ does not discriminate on the basis of familial status. AZRelay.org or 7-1-1 This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.