Youth of the Year Honor for Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County

March 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Seaside, CA – We are proud to announce that the 2013 BGCMC Youth of the Year is 17-year-old Korina Garcia. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club Member can receive. As a recipient of both the Ron MacIntyre Memorial Scholarship and the Davis Love III Scholarship for her academic successes, Korina has earned this title as an impressive Club Member and an ambitious young lady. In May, she will be the first female in her family to graduate from high school. Until then, Korina will keep busy at the Club planning fundraisers through Keystone leadership Club, working on her college applications in the Teen Center, and speaking on behalf of BGCMC as she competes against other Youth of the Year honorees across California for the state title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation.  

As BGCA’s premier youth recognition award, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a Member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as the Member’s ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club Members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

“I am so proud to see Korina receive this honor in recognition of her hard work in school and at the Club. Over her 10 years as a Club Member, I have watched her overcome many obstacles to grow into the strong, confident Latina woman she is today. I look forward to seeing her graduate from high school in May, and go on to college to pursue her dreams of being a professional chef and owning a restaurant. She completely deserves the title of Youth of the Year, and I am honored to see her recognized,” shares Donna Ferraro, CEO/President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County.
If Korina wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive a scholarship of up to $50,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States at the White House.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County (BGCMC) has played an integral role in the community for over 43 years.  With Clubhouses in Seaside and Salinas, BGCMC provides youth between the ages of 6-18 an afterschool safe haven where they are mentored to achieve academic success, acquire healthy lifestyles, and develop good character and citizenship.  Over 95% of the total budget comes from generous individuals, corporations and foundations. The Clubs are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. during summer and school breaks, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. when school is in session.  Additional information is available at www.bgcmc.org or via phone at 831-394-5171.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.