Page 88 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

Boys & Girls Club

of Collier County

holds third annual Youth of the Year Celebration

T he Boys & Girls Club of Collier County recently held the Third Annual
Youth of the Year Celebration at Artis-Naples with special guest and
Boys & Girls Club alumni, Sugar Ray Leonard. More than 500 attended
the event centered on the remarkable accomplishments of 20 local Youth of the
Year nominees. Evening highlights included a cocktail hour with vocal and dance
performances by Club members, motivational speech given by Sugar Ray Leonard
and announcement of the 2015 Youth of the Year winner, Jesus Vilas.

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition
program for club members and was established to foster young people’s character,
personal growth and leadership qualities.To participate in the program, candidates
must be nominated, present a variety of speeches and gather letters of support.
Community leaders serve as local judges who ultimately choose the Youth of the
Year winner from three finalists.

Youth of the Year winner, Jesus Vilas will go on to compete statewide, regionally
and nationally to receive up to $50,000 in college scholarships and installment by
the President of the United States.

The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County (BGCCC) is a non-profit, youth
development organization, which annually serves 3,000 of the most at-risk
children and teens in Collier County. The Club provides a safe, positive place
where local youth can acquire: academic success, good character and citizenship,
and healthy lifestyles. The Boys & Girls Club is dedicated to its mission, which
is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their
full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. To learn more about the
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County or to arrange a tour, call 239.325.1700 or
visit www.bgccc.com.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
1. Christian Davis, Amy Sedlacek
2. Christine Flynn,Terrance Flynn, Dorothy H. Baker
3. Larry Manierre, Essence Wright, Gerri Moll
4. Mary Pat Hussey, Frank Hussey
5. Joyce O’Meara, Bill O’Meara, Mary Pat Hussey, Anne-Marie Canning, Mauro Sacraida

88 Life in Naples | April 2015