Viola Davis Announces 4th Annual Youth of the Year

NAPLES, Fla. - March 23, 2016 - PRLog -- The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County hosted its 4^th annual Youth of the Year celebration on Monday, Mar. 15. Viola Davis, celebrity guest and award-winning actress from the ABC drama How To Get Away With Murder, announced America Gutierrez as the 2016 Collier Youth of the Year winner.

Gutierrez was selected out of 20 nominees and four finalists, each recognized for displaying outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, moral character and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle during the past year.  As the chosen recipient from the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, Gutierrez will advance to compete on a statewide level for the opportunity to receive up to $50,000 in college scholarships and an induction by the President of the United States.

"America has an exceptional way of looking at the positive side of any situation and sharing that inspiration among her peers," said Theresa J. Shaw, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. "We are proud to have her represent Collier County in the National Youth of the Year competition and look forward to what her future will bring."

During the Youth of the Year program, the BGCCC was presented with a transformational donation of $3 million from Susan and Carl Bolch Jr. for the development and naming of the BGCCC's new Immokalee Campus.

For additional information about the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County and its initiatives, please visit, bgccc.com (http://www.bgccc.com/) or contact Tiffany H. at (239) 325-1736.

About Boys & Girls Club of Collier County

Existing to help enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County serves 3,000 children and teens, ages six to 18, through clubs and afterschool programs.  The non-profit organization provide a safe place for young people to learn, grow and develop ongoing relationships with adult professionals who support the education, emotional, physical and social development they need to become successful adults. For more information, visit bgccc.com (http://www.bgccc.com) or call 239-325-1700.

About Youth of the Year

Since 1947, Youth of the Year (http://youthoftheyear.org/) has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people. Local Clubs recognize members ages 14 to 18 as Youth of the Month Winners and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competitions. State winners each receive a $5,000 scholarship and advance to regional competitions. Regional winners receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including five regional winners and a military winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year competition for a chance at an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable up to $100,000 for four years. The National Youth of the Year represents all Boys & Girls Club youth.