(PHOENIX, February 11, 2020) – Twelve teens who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix (BGCMP) will be honored at the annual Celebrating Youth Event on February 22, 2020. Of those 12, Samia Ruiz from the I.G. Homes Branch, Phoenix has been selected as the Youth of the Year 2020 for BGCMP.
Samia will graduate from Cesar Chavez High School this May. She joined the Clubs at age 6 and has been active in nearly every Club program offered over the years. A shy kid, she reflects how she got involved in programs like Smart Girls and Money Matters to build confidence and skills. She became a leader and served her community with Torch Club and Keystone, volunteer programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
At Cesar Chavez High School, she is an ambassador and a member of Link Crew, which helps freshmen transition into high school, as well as a long-standing member and organizer for Student Government. Samia is a driven, organized student with a 4.1 GPA, member of the National Honor Society, a member of the track team, and is the head manager for the Varsity football team. She hopes to attend Tennessee State University to study Athletic Training.
The Youth of the Year journey will culminate with the Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars event where the teens will share their stories of inspiration. In addition to crowning the 2020 “Youth of the Year” for BGCMP, the evening will honor the Phoenix Suns and Robert Sarver for their many years of service to the youth in our community. All proceeds raised support programming for the 16,000+ kids who are members of the 27 Clubs across metro Phoenix and the East Valley.
When: Saturday, February 22, 2020
5pm
Where: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Kierland Grand Ballroom
6902 E Greenway Pkwy
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
To attend the event or to become a sponsor, please visit: https://bgcmpstars.org/sponsorship/
This year’s Youth of the Year for each Club are:
YOUTH OF THE YEAR 2020
Rebeca Sanchez, Jerry Colangelo Branch, Think Through Academy
Demarion Ricks, MLB All-Star Arizona Diamondbacks Branch, South Pointe High School
Samia Ruiz, I.G. Homes Branch, Cesar Chavez High School
Shirley Windley, Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch, Peoria High School
Alexis “Chico” Gonzalez, Bob & Renee Parsons Branch, Mary’s Catholic High School
Aleea Tenakhongva, Ed Robson Family Branch, North Canyon High School
Jayvion Kelly, Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch, Cold Water Academy
Symphonee Montoya, Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch, Deer Valley High School
Isaac De Leon, Spencer D. & Elizabeth Sands Branch, Trevor G. Browne High School
Alex Sosa, Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch,North High School
Elena Cortez, Swift Kids Branch, Glendale High School
Kayla Phan, Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch,Washington High School
Individual photos and biographies for each clubs’ Youth of the Year are available by request.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley-Metro Phoenix:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix recently merged with Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley to form one of the largest youth serving nonprofits in the Valley. The combined organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley-Metro Phoenix, offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 27 Clubs across most of the Valley, BGCEVMP provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people in four key areas: Academic Success; Good Character & Leadership, Healthy Choices and Career Pathways & Workforce Readiness. In addition to the Clubs, BGCEV-MP operates the Bob & Renee Parsons Dental Clinic in Phoenix in partnership with A Brighter Way to provide affordable dental care for those youth with and without insurance; and the Mesa Arts Academy, a Mesa charter K-8 school, which offers students a rigorous academic program with an emphasis on arts and technology. Boys & Girls Clubs empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community. For more information: visit bgcmp.org or clubzona.org and |@BGCMP & @Clubzona on social channels.
