ALA Youth of the Year Scholarship Award winner

By Kay Ranta CONTRIBUTOR

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 205 members and the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club selected student Joseph Russo from May River H.S. as the ALA Youth of the Year Scholarship Award winner. Joseph was chosen for his leadership, service, and academic achievements at a ceremony on July 17th. Coach Bruin has known Joseph for eight years. “Joseph is like having a reliable staff member. He has made a difference in how students engage in the physical fitness program. Students admire and respect him”. As a student at May River, Joseph has maintained high academics and is focusing on preparing to attend a college for fine arts. “I am extremely grateful to the Auxiliary for this honorable award” stated Joseph. He exclaims that “this past year has been an amazing year with the Boys and Girls Club. Being selected as the ALA Youth of the Year and to have the ability to be a national representative for the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club has been a rewarding experience. It has allowed me to be able to witness how, when everyone works together, we can make a significant difference for others.

ALA Committee Chairperson, Holly Sherburne, herself a previous parent of children in the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, presented the award. “We are extremely proud of Joseph, and I, along with all of us at ALA Unit 205 look forward to his continued success as an inspirational leader as he pursues his personal and academic ambitions”.

Kay Ranta, Chaplain/Public Relations Officer, ALA Unit 205