Selected among several outstanding youth in San Diego County, Julie Hernandez will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for California Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The winner was announced on February 25th at a dinner held at the Del Mar Turf Club. The Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside, 16-year old Julie is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by BGCA for her leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Julie is a wonderful leader and an incredibly smart young woman. She has called the Club her second home for many years and is graduating a year early from El Camino High School with a 4.6 GPA. We couldn’t be prouder,” said Jodi Diamond, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside.
“Over the years, Julie has overcome her shyness through our performing arts programs and has excelled in science through the Club’s STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Math) program. Julie wants to complete two years at Mira Costa Community College and then transfer to UC Berkeley to get a degree in Chemistry. We know she’ll be able to accomplish whatever she puts her mind to,” said Diamond.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, who has supported BGCA for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota, the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, is committed to helping improve the quality of life in our communities, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring youth have access to a quality education. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix, a national education partner that has joined with BGCA to impact academic success among youth across the country, and the Taco Bell Foundation, BGCA’s premier partner for teen empowerment.
If Julie wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2016, 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 $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit http://www.youthoftheyear.org.
