Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Honors 2015 Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) honored its 2015 Youth of the Year with a Crabtree’s Kittle House reception Thursday, April 30. More than 100 Club members, staffers, donors, dignitaries, board members, and friends of the Club gathered to recognize Nethmi DeSilva with the Club’s highest honor – the prestigious “Youth of the Year” award.

The National Youth of the Year program, a Boys & Girls Clubs of America initiative, honors Club members for developing superior leadership skills, overcoming personal challenges, achieving academic excellence, and performing outstanding service to the Club and the community. The reception and dinner was generously hosted by BGCNW board member John Crabtree.

A 12-year Club member, DeSilva was selected as “Youth of the Year” for her leadership, commitment, and dedication to school, home, family, and community.

In 2002, then 3-year-old Nethmi DeSilva left Sri Lanka with her family to flee civil war and to pursue the privilege of education and possibility of college. Today, as a sophomore at Fox Lane High School, she is living her family’s dream.

“The Boys & Girls Club has helped me realize my full potential and embrace my leadership skills,” said DeSilva. “Walking through the doors of the Club, I feel like I can be whoever I want, with the full support of friends, staff, and Club members.”

“The Club has taught me to always stay true to my morals,” DeSilva continued. “I am a product of everything my parents know, but as I grow and become more independent, I become a product of what I have learned – and the Club is a part of who I am.”

Youth of the Year finalists Lilian Chang, Cristy Lopez-Duarte, and Cameron Rosen were also recognized for their exceptional accomplishments. Rosen, a Fox Lane senior, was selected as the recipient of the 2015 memorial Chris Cutri Award. This award memorializes Cutri, the son of BGCNW director of operations, Barbara Cutri, and recognizes positive attitude, perseverance, kindness, and integrity.

DeSilva will also be honored as the BGCNW’s Youth of the Year at the 2015 Humanitarian Award Dinner Saturday, June 6 at the Hilton Westchester. The 21st annual gala will recognize Brian Skanes, the Club’s former executive director, as “Humanitarian of the Year.” Skanes left the organization this spring to pursue work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is dedicated to its mission to inspire and enable young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. A non-profit organization established in 1939, the Club has served more than 100,000 youth and welcomed nearly 10,000 volunteers, staff and board members over the years. Located in Mt. Kisco, NY, the Club’s 36,000-square-foot facility features an eight-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, games room, two computer labs, Teen Center, as well as a full-service kitchen serving more than 200 meals per day. The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester currently serves 1,700 boys and girls ages 18 months to 18 years, from more than 40 Northern Westchester communities. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Photo 1: Nethmi DeSilva, a Fox Lane High School sophomore, was recognized by the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) as the 2015 Youth of the Year at a reception Thursday, May 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

Photo 2: (From left to right) Brian Skanes, former BGCNW executive director and the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year, with 2015 Youth of the Year Nethmi DeSilva and special guest and club supporter Martha Stewart at the Youth of the Year reception Thursday, April 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

Photo 3: (From left to right) BGCNW board member Muffin Dowdle; 2015 Youth of the Year Nethmi DeSilva; special guest and Club supporter Martha Stewart; and Alyzza Ozer, BGCNW CEO, at the Youth of the Year reception Thursday, April 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

Photo 4: (From left to right) Chris Cutri Award recipient and Youth of the Year finalist Cameron Rosen with finalists Cristy Lopez-Duarte, Lilian Chang, and 2015 Youth of the Year Nethmi DeSilva at the Youth of the Year reception Thursday, April 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

Photo 5: (From left to right) Brian Skanes, former BGCNW executive director and the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year; Alyzza Ozer, BGCNW CEO; Cameron Rosen, Chris Cutri Award recipient and Youth of the Year finalist; 2015 Youth of the Year Nethmi DeSilva; and R. Todd Rockefeller, BGCNW board president, at the Youth of the Year reception Thursday, April 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

Photo 6: (From left to right) Mount Kisco Mayor J. Michael Cindrich; 2015 Youth of the Year Nethmi DeSilva; BGCNW CEO Alyzza Ozer; and Brian Skanes, former BGCNW executive director and the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year, at the Youth of the Year reception Thursday, April 30 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.