Fellsmere, Florida – February 7, 2024
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County marked their 20th Annual Youth of the Year Competition with the spotlight on Angela from the Fellsmere Club, emerging as the county’s Youth of the Year winner, underscoring the transformative impact of Boys & Girls Clubs on the lives of its members.
Angela, a junior at Sebastian River High School and 11-year club member, clinched the Youth of the Year title after a rigorous evaluation of her service to home and family, moral character, community service, academic performance, and leadership roles within the Boys & Girls Club. Tackling honors, AP, and dual enrollment courses, Angela also serves as the Club’s Keystone president, exemplifying exceptional leadership skills. Her aspirations extend beyond the county level, aiming for a career in forensic science after graduation. Angela’s motivation for competing was rooted in inspiring her siblings, stating, “I wanted to participate in this competition to show my siblings they can achieve anything they put their minds to.”
Serenity of the Vero Beach Club was recognized as the county’s Junior Youth of the Year for the second consecutive year, captivating the judges with her speech, academic success, and aspirations in criminal justice.
The rigorous competition required candidates to undergo a comprehensive evaluation process, including submitting three essays, a professional resume, cover letters, transcripts, and delivering a compelling speech to a panel of judges. The distinguished panel of judges included Deana Shatley (United Way of IRC), Ramon Ecchevaria (Fellsmere Principal), Jaime Sturgeon (SDIRC), Hannah Hite (Homeless Children’s Foundation), Shala Edwards (Treasure Coast Girls Coalition), and Barbara Pearce (Gifford Youth Achievement Center).
Winning Youth of the Year at the county level marks the beginning of a journey for these young leaders, who will go on to compete at the state, regional, and national levels throughout the year. The final 5 regional Boys & Girls Club Youths of the Year will have the opportunity to meet the president in the White House.
Laura Luettger, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed pride in these young leaders, stating, “We are incredibly proud of these young people; they all have provided quality service to their Clubs and communities, and have been outstanding leaders and students. We are fortunate to have pre-teens and teens this dedicated and passionate in pursuit of personal excellence as members of our clubs and setting a positive example for all of the youth we serve.”
Stay tuned for updates as these young leaders embark on their journey toward state, regional, and possibly national recognition, promising a bright future for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County improves the lives of young people by providing exceptional facilities, caring mentors, and educational programs after school and during the summer. The organization serves 1,000 children ages 6-18 annually, with 83% qualifying for free or reduced lunches in school. The Clubs operate three facilities, one each in Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere. In 2019, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County received the highest possible ranking from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year, putting it in the top 11% of charities across the nation. For more information, visit www.bgcirc.org, www.facebook.com/bgcirc, or call 772-299-7449.
