Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside is thrilled to announce that Club member, Julie Hernandez, San Diego County Youth of the Year, was named California State Youth of the Year (YOY). The event took place last evening, April 25, 2017, in Sacramento at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s California State Youth of the Year Competition. In addition to the title, Julie was awarded a $5,000 scholarship.
Julie will now compete for the Pacific Region Youth of the Year title on June 8th in Costa Mesa. Julie has the opportunity to vie for National Youth of the Year, the highest honor bestowed upon a Club member. The National Youth of the Year receives a $25,000 scholarship that is renewable for up to four years, totaling $100,000. This is a huge win for San Diego County, a demonstration of the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs in the lives of our youth, and a monumental achievement for 17 year-old Julie.
Along with seven other YOY contestants from around California, Julie was judged on her speech and essay regarding the critical impact the Club has had on her life. Julie shared her story on how the Club helped her to overcome her immobilizing shyness and gave her the self-confidence to pursue her dreams. Growing up with a single mom who worked multiple jobs, Julie had to take on many adult responsibilities at a young age. The Club allowed her to be a kid, free from adult worries, and helped her to find and develop her passion for Chemistry and love of life.
“Julie is an astounding young woman who has not let her past circumstances define her future” said Jodi Diamond, CEO. “We are so proud of her achievements and are ecstatic to see her be recognized at a state level. This is only the beginning for Julie.”
Julie graduated from El Camino High School at 16, a year early, with a 4.6 Grade Point Average. She now attends Mira Costa College and plans to transfer to University of California, Berkeley, or Stanford University to pursue a degree in Chemistry.
Youth of the Year is a national Boys & Girls Clubs of America program. Since 1947 this has been the premier recognition program for Clubs, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the Youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership and service; academic excellence; and healthy life styles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.
