Seven Club Members are in the running to be named the 2019 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. Hundreds of guests will come hear their inspiring stories during a dinner, which will take place on Thursday, February 28 at 6 p.m. at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Proceeds will support the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club in West Palm Beach.
The title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. It is a national program of Boys & Girls Clubs of America that begins with at the local level.
For the second year, six candidates will be awarded four-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarships and the County winner will receive a four-year Florida Prepaid University Scholarship inclusive of room and board. The Youth of the Year scholarships are made possible by the overwhelming generosity of the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation.
Come find out which of the seven exceptional candidates will be named to the top local honor.
Tyler Abercrombie, of Smith & Moore Family Teen Center of Belle Glade
Abercrombie, 16, has been a Club member since he was 8. The Glades Central High School student is a natural leader. His desire is to change his community and one of the ways he is making the difference is volunteering at his elementary school. Tyler loves to sing and the Club was the place that made him see the music as part of his life.
Derry Gaspard, of Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach
Gaspard, 18, was a shy kid when he first started attending Boys & Girls Club six years ago. Being at the Club he found in music a way to express his emotions and now he gives free guitar lessons to other Club members as part of his community service. The Atlantic High School student is a role model for younger members and wants to be an anesthetist nurse.
Nicholas Polycarpe, of Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach
Polycarpe, 17, sees in art a way to be out of trouble. Marjorie S. Fisher’s Youth of the Year candidate wants to be a Graphic Designer and has a story of service that makes him qualified to inspire others. The Palm Beach Lakes High School Student loves to play basketball and volunteers at the Club’s kitchen.
Jasmine Myrthil, of Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of Riviera Beach
Myrtil, 15, has been a Club member since she was 7. She has a passion for robotics and wants to be an engineer. The Inlet Groove Community student has shown the potential and the dedication that made her qualified to become the next Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year of Palm Beach County.
Kalayah Samuels, of Florence De George Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach
Samuels, 17, see the Club as her second home. Her desire is to be a Business Executive and she loves to help at the front desk of the Club. The Palm Beach Lakes High School student is a great example of resilience and true commitment.
Joshua Desvieux, of Boys & Girls Club of Boca Raton
Desvieux, 15, wants to be an engineer and his passion to help others is one of the qualities that makes him an excellent candidate. The Boca Raton High School student loves to play basketball and helps young members with their homework.
Janayah Strachan, of Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club of Wellington
Strachan, 16, was a really shy kid when she first started attending Boys & Girls Club nine years ago. At the Club she discovered her passion for dance and music. Her favorite activity at the Club is been at the dance room and teach younger members how to dance.The Wellington Community High School Student sees the Club as a part of her family.
Leading the charge as event chairmen are Olympia Bishop and Wilder Regalbuto. Supporting as Honorary Chairmen are Honorable Danielle H. Moore and Honorable Lesly S. Smith.
The Youth of the Year Dinner is presented by Valedictorian Sponsor, Publix Super Markets Charities, and is powered by Senior Sponsor, Comcast. Joining them are Junior Sponsor, Office Depot, and Freshman Sponsors C. Kenneth & Laura Baxter Foundation and the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation.
The event’s Club and Supporting Sponsors include Olympia Bishop, BMO Wealth Management, Comcast, Comerica Bank, Florida Virtual School, Gehring Insurance, Nicolette Goldfarb, Inlet Private Wealth, JCPenney, JFO Group, Inc., Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Jupiter Magazine, Kerry & Simone Vickar Family Foundation, The Kress Family, LuLuMAC, The Palm Beacher, Palm Beach Outlets, Raul Ocampo & Associates, Wilder Regalbuto, Schumacher Auto Group, Toastmasters International, and Wilmington Trust.
To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Megan Middeke, Sr. Development Manager at 561-683-3287 or mmiddeke@bgcpbc.org or visit www.bgcpbc.org.
For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.
