Boys & Girls Clubs to Announce 2022 Youth of the Year

January 31, 2022 – Sarasota

Six local high school students are finalists for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties 2022 Youth of the Year title. This prestigious honor will be presented to the selected candidate at the organization’s annual Steak & Burger celebration on Friday, February 4. 

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been the premier recognition program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America that fosters a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. The program celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Club members across the nation. The following teens have exemplified the Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission and are proof to the impact the Clubs make in transforming lives:

• Mykayla G. is a 15-year-old sophomore at Booker High School and attends the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club;
• Francisco H. is a 19-year-old senior at North Port High School and attends the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club;
• Jaliyah L. is a 14-year-old eight-grader at DeSoto Middle School and attends the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club;
• Bernadette N. is a 17-year-old senior at Riverview High School and attends the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club;
• D’Kai S. is a 17-year-old senior at Booker High School and attends the Newtown Estate Park Boys & Girls Club; and 
• Ashley V. is a 16-year-old senior at Venice High School and attends the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club.

The 2022 Youth of the Year will have a chance of becoming the 2022 State of Florida Youth of the Year and opportunities to win academic scholarships, speak at national conferences and meet elected officials. Since 2012, the organization has had five State of Florida Youth of the Years, two Southeast Region Youth of the Years and one National Youth of the Year. 

This western-themed event will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, located at 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Guests will enjoy curated food stations by Gecko’s Hospitality and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Guests are encouraged to dress in casual western attire.

Proceeds from the event will give Boys & Girls Club members greater opportunities to excel in school, become leaders, live healthy lifestyles and plan for success after high school graduation. Sponsorship support will ensure our Clubs continue to provide the best services possible for local youth to achieve their full potential. 

Presenting Sponsor: Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust. Event Sponsors: Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bucket Fillers Inc., Intertape Polymer Group, Caldwell Trust Company, Wagner Consulting, Blistex, CoolToday, Drs. Pat & Bob Gussin, Bruce Laishley & Jane Mascola, Meghan O. Serrano, Esq., Sabal Palm Bank | Seacoast Bank, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Tom & Debbie Shapiro, Synovus, Captivation Agency, Palm Printing, Gecko’s Hospitality, Gold Coast Eagle Distributors, and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

For more information, visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.