Exceptional New Rochelle Teen Wins Youth of the Year Honor

New Rochelle, NY– Selected between two outstanding youth, Jesus has been named the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (BGCNR). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 72nd year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. Jesus will go on to vie for the New York State Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“Jesus is an impressive young man in all areas. He is a leader at our Club, volunteers in the community, and an excellent role model to the young kids at the Club. We could not be prouder of him,” said Lutonya Russell-Humes, Executive Director of BGCNR.

Jesus is the first elected Co-President of August Mascaro Clubhouse Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. In his capacity as Co-President, he has served as an ambassador for the Mascaro Clubhouse and BGCNR as a whole. Jesus participated in our 89th Civics Day, an annual event that kicks off National Boys & Girls Club Week in which select members assume the leadership positions of City Hall for the day. Jesus assumed the position of Youth Mayor and shadowed the Mayor Noam Bramson for the day. Jesus also received the opportunity to attend the 2018 New York State Democratic Convention, where he was involved with a video about gun violence and listened to Governor Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden speak.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported the youth advocacy organization for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, is dedicated to inspiring the next generations of engineers, thinkers and leaders who will help drive the American economy. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a committed partner who has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on many Academic Success initiatives, and the Taco Bell Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier partner for teen empowerment.

If Jesus wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. in September 2019, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.

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

About Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle

The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (www.bgcnr.org) has been providing a safe, structured and positive environment for youth, ages 6-18, for more than 90 years. It is also charged with helping youth to develop the attitudes, skills, values, and behaviors that enable them to succeed in life. With five locations throughout the city of New Rochelle, the Club impacts almost 2,000 youth every year by offering a wide array of programs and services after school, during school holidays, and the entire summer.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contact:

William Iannuzzi, August E. Mascaro Clubhouse, wiannuzzi@bgcnr.org, 914-235-3736