This past March, Deidre Belinfanti, Larry Calhoun, Sandra Morris, and Zakiyyah Godsey, the 2012 Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (BGCM) Youth of the Year finalists, attended over 15 workshops to prepare them for the local Youth of the Year competition on March 31. The winner selected will compete in the New Jersey Youth of the Year competition on May 26, 2012.
Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) premiere recognition program for Club members, promoting service to the Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.
Club members ages 14 to 18 are chosen as Youth of the Year nominees, with selected finalists moving on to participate in state competitions. State winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and participate in regional competitions. Five regional winners each receive a $10,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives up to an additional $50,000 scholarship and is installed by the president of the United States.
Our finalists have actively participated in Club programs, demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, and have shown personal growth.
“Youth of the Year is the most rewarding program Club members can be a part of,” said Isiah Jones, BGCM Asbury Park Unit Director. “Our finalists are currently taking part in public speaking workshops and mock interview sessions in preparation for the competition. This is just the beginning for our finalists,” Jones added.
Meet the finalists:
Deidre Belinfanti, 17, is a very active, longstanding member of the BGCM Asbury Park Unit. Deidre serves as Keystone vice president and recently attended both a regional and national Keystone conference. In her free time, Deidre enjoys writing poetry and short stories, as well as participating in sports. This February, Deidre was granted early admission to her dream school, Howard University.
Larry Calhoun, 18, is also a member at the BGCM Asbury Park Unit. Larry has given back to the Club by working as a program assistant for the past three years. This year, Larry proudly helped his high school football team, the Neptune High School Scarlet Fliers, win the school’s first state championship since 1999 as defensive lineman.
Sandra Morris, 15, is a member at the BGCM Red Bank Unit. Sandra enthusiastically dedicates her free time to her community, volunteering at the local Lunch Break and Red Bank Senior Citizen Home, holding a pancake drive, and helping with the younger kids at the BGCM Red Bank Unit. Sandra plans on attending Penn State or Rutgers in the future to achieve her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
Zakiyyah Godsey, 16, is our second finalist from the BGCM Red Bank Unit. Zakiyyah is extremely creative and athletic, enjoying dancing, acting, rowing, and skating. Zakiyyah plans on using her many talents to become an athletic director.
For more information about Youth of the Year, please contact the main office at 732-775-7862.
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