Boys & Girls Club to Name Youth of the Year

Submitted by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua:

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua will host a competition in which one teen member will be named the local Youth of the Year. The newly named Youth of the Year will go on to compete against other Boys & Girls Clubs members across New Hampshire for the state title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. State winners move on to vie for the distinction of one of five regional winners across the country, and ultimately those five winners will contend for the title of National Youth of the Year.

The 2014 Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua Youth of the Year finalists are Sylvia Gitonga, Hector Collazo, Brenda Flores and Amber Rak. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, located at 47 Grand Avenue.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, the Youth of the Year title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. As the national program sponsor, Tupperware Brands awards each state winner a $1,000 college scholarship and each regional winner a $10,000 scholarship. The national winner receives an additional scholarship up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation.

The lead sponsor for the event is Amica. “Amica’s mission is simple – to create peace of mind and build enduring relationships,” said Shaun Ralston, branch manager of the Amica Insurance regional office in Concord. “We put our mission to work daily, not only for our policyholders, but for our community as well. We’re happy to support the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, and their youth, one of many worthy organizations.” The Common Man Family and Triangle Credit Union are supporting the event as the Dinner and Platinum Sponsors. Additional sponsors include Gold Sponsors:  Lovering Volvo, Melanson, Heath & Company, Roedel Companies and Sweeney Title Services; and Silver Sponsors: Cafua Management, Centrix Bank, Co-Operative Insurance and Eaton & Berube Insurance, Enterprise Bank,  John Flatley Company, FLIR, Liakos Companies, the Ninety-Nine Restaurant, Sal and Lois Magnano, and Williams Wealth Management.

The evening will feature an amazing dinner from the Common Man Family with a special address by CEO Jay Lyons,  with a question and answer session with the four finalists, moderated by WMUR reporter, Nick Spinetto,  as well as a ceremony inducting past volunteers  and alumni into the Club’s Hall of Fame, including Governor John Lynch, a champion and friend of the Boys & Girls Club (awarded in abstention), Salvatore Magnano, a 30+ year volunteer/board member, and alumni, Kevin Nolan, short stop for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and baseball clinic volunteer (award to be accepted by his parents), Clara Doan, consultant for FTI Consulting and volunteer for Boys & Girls Club Swim Team, and Eric Brand, owner for P & L Landscaping and Club supporter.

Club CEO Norm Bouthilette commented, “We’re excited to share the stories of our members and alumni, their successes and what the Club means to them and our community. This event highlights the importance of youth development programs in greater Nashua, contributing to its reputation as one of the best places to live in America.  We are honored to be able to share this opportunity with our friends.”

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Tickets are still available for $25 per person/$250 for a table of ten. Seating is limited. To reserve your seats or discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Bridget Cooley, Director of Development at 603.883.0523 x228 orbcooley@bgcn.com.