Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club Outstanding Members

Valentina is thrilled to be recognized as the Junior Youth of the Month for the second time —a testament to her positive spirit and leadership among her peers. A third grader with a deep appreciation for learning, Valentina sees school as more than just a place to gain knowledge. “School helps you learn, and learning makes your mind grow, which leads to a better mindset,” she explains with wisdom beyond her years. At just nine years old, Valentina is already a natural motivator. She encourages her friends to be their best selves and works to prevent conflicts before they escalate. “I try to prevent fights between friends. I know they will miss their friendship if they fight,” she says, demonstrating a maturity and kindness that inspire those around her. Academically, Valentina’s favorite subject is math, and she loves diving into the Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell and Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, book series. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys a wide range of activities, including dancing, singing, sketching, and even searching for loose change around her house. A Club member for two years, Valentina is a dedicated member in both the summer and school-year programs. Her favorite spaces at the Club are the gym and Technology Lab, where she gets to explore her interests and creativity. Valentina appreciates the Club for embracing and encouraging individuality, something that fuels her dream of becoming a K-pop singer one day.

Senior Youth of the Month eleven years old Tyler F., Tyler has a love for learning, with math and English ranking as his favorite subjects. While he enjoys reading fiction, he does not have a favorite author—he simply loves getting lost in a good story. Tyler first joined the Club’s summer programs, where he had an incredible experience filled with exciting field trips and new friendships. Enjoying his time so much, he returned for after-school programming, where he an actively enthusiastic and engaged sixth grader who is making the most of his time at the Club’s Teen Center. He is building strong friendships and playing is favorite game of soccer, a game he hopes to play professionally one day. Beyond academics and athletics, Tyler has a creative side—he loves drawing and building with Legos. If professional soccer is not in his cards, Tyler’s backup plan is to pursue a career as an artist or an architect, combining his creativity and passion for design. When asked about his experience at the Club, he shared, "The Club has helped me to make friends and become a better teenager. Staff members praise Tyler for his positive, respectful, and helpful attitude.