Exceptional San Juan Capistrano, CA Teen Wins Youth of the Year Honor for Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley to Now Vie for State Title and Scholarship
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (PRWEB) February 25, 2016 -- Selected among several local outstanding youth, Maritza Garcia will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members first for the Orange County Youth of the Year and then for the California Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). 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. As the new Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley17-year old Maritza is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by BGCA for her leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Maritza is truly a club kid, having been a member for more than 10 years. I have had the honor to watch her grow into a leader and a fine young woman,” said James Littlejohn, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.
Garcia is a senior at San Juan Hills High School and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley for ten years. She is currently a member of the Keystone Club, Toastmasters, senior division softball team and College Bound. In the past, Maritza was a member of Smart Girls, Girls Scouts and Sea Tech, an oceanography program. Maritza plans to attend a private four year university and major in international business. She is currently working toward her goal of international work by traveling to Mexico every other weekend to perform mission work.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported BGCA 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 committed to helping improve the quality of life in our communities, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring youth have access to a quality education. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a national education partner that has joined with BGCA to impact academic success among youth across the country, and the Taco Bell Foundation, BGCA’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
If Maritza wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Pacific 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 2016, to compete for the title of BGCA’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.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley has been at the forefront of youth development for twenty- four years in South Orange County, serving more than 2700 youth annually and more than 400 each day. Now with three full service branch locations in Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Juan Capistrano. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley is to inspire and enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens by providing stimulating and challenging programs through interaction with dedicated caring people.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually 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, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
Contact: Ron Sipiora | Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley | 949.240.7898 | rsipiora(at)bgccapo(dot)com
Charlotte Novom, Novom Marketing, Inc., http://www.Novom.com, +1 (714) 941-9799, [email protected]
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