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Four nominated for B&G ‘Youth of the Year’

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley will again be honoring the Youth of the Year during a special ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the clubhouse in Maxwell Village. The public is invited to attend.

This year’s candidates include Yecenia Vargas, Pio Valenzuela, Raquel Paz and Eric Gonzalez, who have all been active in their community and club as a positive influence and role model.

Youth of the Year is an initiative designed to promote and recognize teens who have developed sound character, leadership abilities and the willingness to give back. Each candidate will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the winner will receive a new laptop.

A Member of the Year from each Boys & Girls Club site will be recognized at the celebration.

They include Luisa Lopez with Altimira Middle School, Luis Gonzalez, of Sassarini Elementary School, Oscar Rivas of El Verano Elementary School, Ryan Valer of Dunbar Elementary School, Shauna Johnston of Flowery Elementary School and Nicole Flores of the Maxwell Village Clubhouse.

The August Sebastiani Foundation sponsors the event, with refreshments from Whole Foods and the Cake Corner.

Winners participate in regional competitions. Five regional winners each receive an engraved plaque and a $10,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.

For more information on the Youth of the Year program, email Nick Haley at nhaley@bgcsonoma.org.