Castellano and Garcia: Boys & Girls Club Youths of the Year
Andrea Castellano
Andrea Castellano, is a true example of an extraordinary teen. At age 17, she has just been selected as the Youth of the Year for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club.
The Youth of the Year Program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program for 59 years,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled that we can honor amazing teens like Andrea for their dedication and hard work.”
Andrea is the daughter of Lawrence & Frances Castellano and is a Senior at PojoaqueValley High School where she has a cumulative 3.4 GPA. and is the Student Body Treasurer. She is also an active member of the National Honor Society, FCCLA program, Avid Tutoring along with being a member of Link Crew. She is also the Secretary of the Kachina Keystone Club which id a community service and leadership based organization. She has participated in numerous community service projects to assist the Santa Fe Food Depot, Salvation Army, besides making hats, blankets & scarves for patients at the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital at Christmas and other human assistance programs.
“Andrea is a true leader and role model for our members and will go far in life,” said Donald R. Christy, executive director, Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club.
Andrea received a plaque from the local Club along with a $1,000.00 scholarship, a laptop computer donated by the Boys & Girls Club and an all expense paid trip to the National Boys & Girls Club Convention to be held in New York City in May. Andrea will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Youth of the Year title for the State of New Mexico and a $1,000 scholarship to be held on March 6, 2010 in Farmington. If Andrea wins at the state level, then she will compete for the title of Southwest Region Youth of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship to be held in Texas, sometime in June.
The five regional winners will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
As founding sponsor of the program, the Reader’s Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million to BGCA, and 58 teens have been named National Youth of the Year.
………………………………………………..
Desiree Garcia
Desiree Garcia, age 13, was selected as the Jr. Youth of the Year for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club at the Annual Banquet held at the Cities of Gold Hotel Conference Center.
The Youth of the Year Program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program for 59 years,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled that we can honor amazing youth like Desiree for their dedication and hard work.”
Desiree, son of Lionel and Louise Garcia, is a 8thgrader at PojoaqueIntermediate School where she has a 3.8 GPA, is an Honor Roll student and a member of the Chess and Yearbook Clubs. Desiree who is a Junior Staff member at the Club along with being Vice-President of the Kachina Keystone Club, has participated in the Fine Art Program, Computer Technology Program, Digital Arts Program, MIRACLES Academy, Race Against Drugs, StarRunners, Power Hour (an after school tutoring program) and also with TRAIL, a Diabetes Awareness Program in the past. She is also a past winner of the Major League Baseball STAR Award and also a two time winner of Kohl’s Kids Who Care Award.
“Desiree always has a smile to share and has a heart of gold. She puts others ahead of herself many times due to her caring and compassionate character. Withher strong family support and moral values he will succeed with anything he sets his mind to do in the future”, said Donald R. Christy, executive director, Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club.
Desiree received a large plaque from the Club, $500.00 in cash, and a laptop computer, donated by the Boys & Girls Club. She will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the New Mexico Jr. Youth of the Year title in Farmington, N.M., on March 6, 2010. Last year Desiree was honored as the State Youth of the Year and will try to repeat again this year.
Desiree Garcia, age 13, was selected as the Jr. Youth of the Year for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club at the Annual Banquet held at the Cities of Gold Hotel Conference Center.
The Youth of the Year Program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program for 59 years,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled that we can honor amazing youth like Desiree for their dedication and hard work.”
Desiree, son of Lionel and Louise Garcia, is a 8thgrader at Pojoaque Intermediate School where she has a 3.8 GPA, is an Honor Roll student and a member of the Chess and Yearbook Clubs. Desiree who is a Junior Staff member at the Club along with being Vice-President of the Kachina Keystone Club, has participated in the Fine Art Program, Computer Technology Program, Digital Arts Program, MIRACLES Academy, Race Against Drugs, StarRunners, Power Hour (an after school tutoring program) and also with TRAIL, a Diabetes Awareness Program in the past. She is also a past winner of the Major League Baseball STAR Award and also a two time winner of Kohl’s Kids Who Care Award.
“Desiree always has a smile to share and has a heart of gold. She puts others ahead of herself many times due to her caring and compassionate character. Withher strong family support and moral values he will succeed with anything he sets his mind to do in the future”, said Donald R. Christy, executive director, Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club.
Desiree received a large plaque from the Club, $500.00 in cash, and a laptop computer, donated by the Boys & Girls Club. She will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the New Mexico Jr. Youth of the Year title in Farmington, N.M., on March 6, 2010. Last year Desiree was honored as the State Youth of the Year and will try to repeat again this year.
