BGC members sing 'A Million Dreams' PHOTO BY MARTINA'S PHOTOGRAPHY

Members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County were the perfect hosts at the 22nd annual Angels Dinner fundraiser at the Vero Beach Club, co-chaired by Wendy Carey, Leslie Hodges, Jenny Pettinga and Lynn Yardley.

Poised young ‘docents’ from the Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere clubs gave insight into the artworks students had created for the National Fine Arts Competition and shepherded guests through the various academic and activity areas.

Following cocktails, guests filtered into the gymnasium for presentations and a dinner by Elizabeth D. Kennedy Catering.

“This year, our Angels Dinner theme is ‘Painting a brighter future, together,’ because we believe that each stroke of support contributes to a masterpiece of opportunity, growth and success for the youth we serve,” said CEO Elizabeth Thomason.

Bob Bauchman, board co-chair with Paul Hanson, paid tribute to Bill and Marlynn Scully, longtime, ardent supporters of the organization. In their honor, he said, a plaque denoting the newly named Scully Gymnasium has been installed at the club’s entrance.

Returning as event emcee, Jaquan Pledger reminisced about his own B&GC experiences, beginning with his first Angels Dinner at age 9 in 2010.

“A lot has happened thanks to my time as a club member. I graduated, got my real estate license, sold a house, started college, became a member of the alumni association, and now I am the teen director for the Vero Beach Club,” said Pledger, before thanking all the sponsors for their continuing support.

After dinner, Jasmine, the 2023 Youth of the Year, credited her remarkable achievements to her 10 years at B&GC. She graduates from high school this year as a member of the National Honor Society, with a diploma, an associate degree, and 16 college acceptances.

“It has been an honor serving Boys & Girls Clubs as the 2023 Youth of the Year. It is with immense pride and joy that I am now able to pass the torch to an exceptional individual who embodies the spirit of our community,” said Jasmine, introducing Angela, the 2024 Youth of the Year.

“I’m standing here before you today as a first generation Mexican American, the first in my family to be born here in the United States,” said Angela, a member of the Fellsmere Club.

She spoke about the hard work and sacrifices of her parents after immigrating here, including frequently moving the family to follow the harvesting seasons. As they didn’t speak English, the responsibility of translating fell to her, as did helping her three younger siblings with their schoolwork.

“Because of this, I felt like I grew up too fast. But when going to the Boys and Girls Club, I felt like I was able to let go of all that responsibility and just be a kid. Since attending the club, I have had the opportunity to go all out in my teenage years,” said Angela.

“As the Youth of the Year, I will make it my mission to bring attention to the unfair immigration policies in place in the United States and how immigrant children are disproportionately affected. I want to be a voice for my peers, who have also experienced the hardship of acting as their parents’ advocates; those of us who were forced to grow up far too quickly because of the lack of resources available and the stigma our parents face as immigrants,” said Angela, who hopes to make a difference within the community.

For more information, visit bgirc.org.

Photos by Martina’s Photography