Youth of the Year
Youth of the Yearsponsored by Dunkin' of Westfield
The annual Amelia Ferst Memorial Youth of the Year dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd
at Tekoa Country Club.
Reception at 5:30pm with Dinner at 6:00pm. If you have any dietary restrictions please inform us by 3/25.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield's 2023 Youth of the Year Recipient:
Isabella Stowell-Marcoux
Congratulations to our 2024 Youth of the Year Finalist:
Olivia Jannakas
History of the Youth of the Year Program
Since the early 1970's, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield has run a national youth recognition initiative that promotes good moral character, leadership and service qualities in today's youth. The Youth of the Year program has been sponsored by the Sardinha Family and Dunkin' of Westfield since 2003.
It is a year-round program for youth ages 14 to 18 that promotes and celebrates members' service to the Club; community and family; academic performance; moral character; life goals; poise and public speaking abilities. It is the cornerstone of the organization's Character & Leadership Development core program area, helping young people focus on personal development attributes needed to successfully transcend into adulthood.
Candidates are chosen from a pool of youth who received recognition throughout the year. Youth of the Year nominees are paired with a Club mentor who guides them through the entire application process. The candidates have to write essays, collect support letters and be interviewed by a panel of local community leaders. Each candidate then prepares a short speech to deliver at the annual Youth of the Year dinner in front of upwards of 200 guests.
The winner will go on to compete at the State level. If the youth wins, they have the opportunity to expand their personal growth by competing at the regional and national level. It is an experience of a lifetime for individuals who are awarded because they are able to proudly represent their own Club alongside other Clubs from across the country.
Past Youth of the Years
Isabella Stowell-Marcoux-2023 (Story)
Gracia Jorgensen-2022 (Photos & Story)
Emma Brumley - 2021(Photos & Story)
Adriana Seymour - 2019 (Photos)
Trent Oliver - 2018 (Photos & Story)
Nelson Gabriel Santos - 2017 (Photos & Story)
Delilah Hubeny - 2016 (Photos & Story)
Janessa Ayala - 2015 (Photos & Story)
Samantha Martin - 2014 (Photos & Story)
Lina Borges - 2013 (Photos & Story)
Katherine Shaughnessy - 2012 (Photos & Story)
Jocelyn Erickson - 2011
Amber Pettell - 2010
Charles DeLaRosa - 2009
Darryll Roberts - 2008
Tania Alvalle - 2007