Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma Valley announces four YOY finalists

This year’s four finalists are Jennifer Ramirez, Ilse Arias, Gabe Naal and Yurhitzia Santiago; event set for Nov. 15|

YOY Party

The free, ninth annual Youth of the Year community event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the BGC Maxwell clubhouse. To RSVP, call 938-8544 x104.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley has announced its four Youth of the Year finalists. The club’s ninth annual free Youth of the Year event will take place at the club at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The event will recognize Members of the Year from six sites, along with the Carole Downing Volunteer award, the Athlete of the Year award and the teen finalists who will share their personal stories of adversity and success. A selection of panelists will then choose the teen finalists to represent the BGCSV as the 2019 Youth of Year.

The event celebrates service to the club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.

This year’s four finalists are Sonoma Valley High School junior Jennifer Ramirez, 2018 graduate Ilse Arias, junior Gabe Naal and junior Yurhitzia Santiago.

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Jennifer Ramirez joined the Boys & Girls Club Teen Program her freshman year and ever since she has been devoted to making an impact in her community. She is the vice president of the Keystone Club, where she organizes volunteer projects like running a canned food drive and finding local organizations to help distribute supplies to the homeless. Currently she is a junior coach of the club’s Girls on the Run program, through which she encourages living a healthy lifestyle through fitness activities and positive discussions. Jennifer makes it a priority to give back, while juggling her academics and maintaining a 3.8 grade point average at Sonoma Valley High School.

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Ilse Arias joined the Boys & Girls Club her freshman year and attended the Teen Program up until graduating in 2018. During her time in the Teen Program, Ilse was viewed as a leader – being elected Keystone President by staff and peers. She has also facilitated programs for the club’s younger members, and brought several community organizations together for a Mental Health Awareness Fair. Ilse’s hard work in the mental health sector garnered much praise. Last year, she won the Press Democrat’s county-wide Community Youth Service Award. After her graduation, Ilse started working at the Boys & Girls Clubs as a program assistant. She balances work commitments while also attending Santa Rosa Junior College full time. She is currently taking psychology classes with the hope of becoming a child psychologist.

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Gabe Naal has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since first grade when he attended at the club’s Sassarini Elementary School site. Since joining the Teen Program his freshman year, Gabe has shown a high level of dedication to his club and community, according to BGC staff. He is passionate about helping others and it has inspired him to give back and volunteer. He is an active member of the club’s Keystone Program where he has volunteered on outings such as Light the Night, the Santa Run and multiple health fairs put on by the Sonoma Valley Health Center. Gabe is looked upon as a leader among his peers and in the community. He maintains a 3.0 GPA while balancing academics and volunteer work.

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Yurhitzia Santiago is described by BGC staff as an excellent leader who inspires others to work together toward a common goal. She has earned the respect of her peers and club staff and was recently named the president of the Keystone Club. Yurhitzia is dedicated and passionate about organizing volunteer opportunities to benefit the community. When she is not at the club, she can be found in the community tutoring youth in mathematics and other subjects. Her determination and drive has enabled her to achieve great things and it is no coincidence that she has received several honor roll awards and maintains a 3.7 GPA.

To attend the Nov. 15 event, RSVP at 938-8544 x104.

YOY Party

The free, ninth annual Youth of the Year community event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the BGC Maxwell clubhouse. To RSVP, call 938-8544 x104.

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