Yesenia Garcia poses with Aliso Viejo Council Members Bill Phillips and Phil Tsunoda.
Selected among several local outstanding youth, Yesenia Garcia was named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and will now compete against other club members for the Orange County Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. Yesenia, 17, is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
“It has been a pleasure knowing Yesenia for the past 11 years and seeing her grow into the model teen leader that she is,” said James Littlejohn, executive director of the club.
An 11-year club member, Yesenia has immersed herself into many community service projects and activities throughout the years. She was part of the Torch Club leadership group designed to teach middle school members how to speak in public, organize events and represent the club in different community activities. Through the Breakthrough education success program, Yesenia helped collect toys for kids in another country. At the academic level, Yesenia has been dedicated to educational excellence since she was a young child. She attended Kinoshita Elementary School and received the Presidential Gold awards and the Principal’s award for five years. She had perfect attendance in the fourth grade. Her educational aspirations continued to blossom while at Marco Forster Middle School. She became part of the Breakthrough Program, a college-bound program that helps achieving students strive toward academic success and delve deep into extracurricular like softball and Students Run LA. Today, Yesenia is a junior at San Juan Hills High, who is maintaining a 3.375 GPA.
If she wins at the county competition, Yesenia will compete for the title of California Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley
One Via Positiva San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.240.7898
Aliso Viejo Branch
24671 Via Iglesia, Aliso Viejo
