Rancho Santa Margarita Teen Named Boys & Girls Club Youth Of Year

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley shared that their member, Mario L., 17, was awarded the Pacific Region Youth of the Year for 2020.

One week ago, in a virtual celebration held in San Juan Capistrano, Mario's peers and supporters gathered to watch the award ceremony and cheer for their friend.

At the event, Mario described the challenges of his life until 6th grade, when he first entered the glass doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.

"I was a shy, insecure and lonely boy who was not certain of what the future had in store and if my life would ever change," he said. "My Club was with me every step of the way, giving me the tools I needed to write my own future."

Now he no longer describes himself as shy. His defining characteristics are someone who is both ambitious and optimistic, he says.

"The club became my home away from home, and the staff became my family," Mario said, as he described how the club became his family. "Now, it's time to give back to my club and my community."

Mario spoke upon receiving his award, saying, "I want to thank everyone who made this possible, even in these hard times, in honoring the youth of today."

He hopes to attend the University of California at Berkeley and hopes to one day be a Neurologist.

Congratulations!