Youth Of Year Honored By Boys & Girls Clubs Of Sarasota, DeSoto

SARASOTA, FL — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties named a 17-year-old Riverview High School senior as the 2022 Youth of the Year.

Bernadette N., whose last name wasn’t provided, was honored with the award at a Feb. 4 event at the club she represented, the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, according to a news release.

As a member of her club, Bernadette was recognized as an advocate and a leader for making contributions to her peers and her community.

As a member of the club’s Advocacy 101, which cultivates young individuals’ ability to lead and advocate for themselves and the causes they believe in, she participated in the Florida House of Representatives Page & Messenger Program.

Through this program, she traveled to Tallahassee to observe lawmakers and was able to speak on the floor to address members of the House about a bill she helped co-write during her participation of Girls State & Girls Nation. Bernadette’s bill, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, aims to combat the prevalence of food deserts in Florida. The bill was sponsored in both the House and the Senate and received unanimous bipartisan support in the Agriculture Committee, the Boys & Girl Clubs said.

After winning the organization’s title, she will now have a chance of becoming the 2022 State of Florida Youth of the Year. From this moment on, and with each win, Bernadette will have an opportunity to earn academic scholarships, speak at national conferences and meet elected officials.

Bernadette was one of six candidates at area clubs considered for the honor. Other finalists for the award were:

• Mykayla G. is a 15-year-old sophomore at Booker High School. She is a member of the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
• Francisco H. is a 19-year-old senior at North Port High School. Francisco is a member of the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club and would like to pursue a career in sports management and physical therapy.
• Jaliyah L. is a 14-year-old student at DeSoto Middle School. Jaliyah is from the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club and would like to pursue a degree in psychology.
• D’Kai S. is a 17-year-old senior enrolled at Booker High School. D’Kai is a member of the Newtown Estates Boys & Girls Club and hopes to pursue a business degree.
• Ashley V. is a 16-year-old sophomore at Venice High School. Ashley is a member of the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club and has her sight set on a career in the medical field.

“Our world is in great hands when I see the dedication and drive these young leaders bring to our Clubs. We are all winners because we have experienced the hope and optimism of each candidate to create a great future not only for themselves but for others,” Bill Sadlo, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, said.