On Friday, Jan. 25, the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress selected its 2019 Youth of the Year. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premiere recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles.
Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.
Since the start of the school year Boys & Girls Club of Cypress’ Keystone Club has been working with its members to further hone their leadership skills. This year two teen candidates, Katelyn R. and David O. met all of the necessary criteria in order to compete for the title of Cypress Youth of the Year. After a rigorous judging process comprised of writing essays, completing an application, and interviewing in front of a panel of four Boys & Girls Club of Cypress Board Members, a difficult decision had to be made.
Both teens did a phenomenal job and embodied the characteristics of Youth of the Year. So Katelyn was named Girl of the Year and David was named Boy of the Year.
These amazing Youth of the Year candidates are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
After much deliberation and careful consideration by the judges, David O. was named the 2019 Boys & Girls Club of Cypress Youth of the Year. As Keystone Club President, active in County-wide activities for Club teens, a Club Ambassador at numerous community events, David has been a positive influence at the Club and in the community throughout the year. David has also helped choreograph the Judgement Free Dance Competition with Planet Fitness, designed Club Holiday Greeting Cards, volunteered at the annual Halloween Carnival and participated in several Club fundraisers like Buddy Boxes for Veterans, Supplies for Animal Rescue, Food Drives for We Care and many others.
The announcement was made in front of his peers, Board Members Angie Ray and Sheri Whitney, and Boys & Girls Club staff. David will now move on to compete in the county-wide Youth of the Year competition, which will be held at the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana on Friday, March 8. The winner of that competition will then have the opportunity to move on to state, regional and eventually national competitions for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year.
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