2018 Youth Of Year Chosen By Boys & Girls Clubs, Napa Valley

NAPA VALLEY, CA – The Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley has named Gabriela Silva of New Technology High School as its 2018 Youth of the Year.

Gabriela was among five youths in the running for the prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.

This year’s field of outstanding youth included:

• Eric Navarro, Napa High School
• Joel Navarro, Napa High School
• Evelyn Perez, Napa High School
• Gabriela Silva, New Technology High School
• Marcos Vasquez, Napa Valley Independent Studies

“We’re proud of all these kids. Youth of the Year takes courage and hard work and each one them did a fantastic job of telling their story,” said Mark Kuhnhausen, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley.

“Each one of these kids are finding ways to better themselves and using their experiences and passions to give back to our community,” he said. "These kids are all winners."

Now in its 71st year, the Youth of the Year program honors the nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire, according to the organization.

All five participants received a $500 scholarship toward post-secondary education.

Winner Gabriela will receive an additional $1,000, and will go on to vie for the Northern California Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“We are very proud of Gabriela and honored to have her involved in our program. She is a fantastic young women who is an example for the younger kids who are working to find their own identity,” said Michael Tillotson, Youth of the Year program director.

Silva has been a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley since elementary school and spoke of the impact it had on her development as it allowed her to be herself without judgment, club officials said. As a Hispanic female, she said she hopes to continue to inspire underserved groups that feel that they do not always have a “voice,” and ended her speech with inspiring words from her mother, “If you just be you … good things will happen.”

For more information about the Youth of the Year, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.

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--Images courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs