Suburban teens in running for Youth of the Year honors

Thousands of boys and girls across Chicago and the suburbs -- out of a total 4.8 million in the United States -- learn the values of leadership and community services by attending after-school programs offered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The organization comprises programs at more than 4,300 sites nationwide, including 27 in Illinois. Suburban sites include Carpentersville, Elgin and Waukegan. Each club is its own non-for-profit organization, providing services at a $5 to $10 average yearly fee.

Nationwide, Latinos comprise about 21 percent of club members, while 35 percent are white and 31 percent are African-American, although numbers vary by site.

Every year, each local club names a "Youth of the Year" among its 14- to 18-year olds, someone who stands out because of qualities like dedication to helping others and motivation to succeed academically.

"The whole criteria is kids that demonstrate leadership skills and personal character. They are very articular and well-spoken," said Bill Hicks, regional service director for the BGCA.

This year, several teens from the area are among the 22 boys and girls who will compete for the state Youth of the Year award Wednesday in Springfield. They will give a three-minute speech about what the club means to them. "It is a motivating, inspirational event that tells about the story, the impact of the club on their lives," he said.

The state winner will then compete at the regional level, culminating in a national competition in Washington, D.C., in September. Since the competition's inception in 1947, club members have had the opportunity to meet former U.S. presidents including Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Here are two Fox Valley teens who will compete for the state award:

Gustavo Diaz, 14, Elgin

The best thing about the Boys & Girls Club is that it's never boring, Gustavo said.

"It's fun, there are a lot of things to do, different activities for everyone," he said. "It's fun but at the same time educational, because you learn things so you don't get in trouble."

Gustavo, an eighth-grader at Ellis Middle School in Elgin, has attended the club's school site for two years.

He especially likes being co-president of its Torch Club, which encourages kids to create a better learning environment by cleaning up garbage and litter, and recycling bottles and cans, he said. He also likes the Smart Move program, during which boys and girls talk about how to make good choices, and how to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

"It keeps us out of the streets, so we don't get involved in bad things," he said.

Guadalupe Aguirre, teen reach coordinator for the Ellis site, said that Gustavo is an exceptional student who is a member of the National Junior Honors Society and plays on the school's soccer team.

Last year, he was very involved in writing letters to U.S. soldiers stationed abroad who had never received correspondence, a task he really took to heart, Aguirre said.

"He stands out, he is very open to trying new things, and he is very into community service," she said. "He is very outgoing, has a good sense of humor and always makes other kids laugh. He leads by example."

Jeanette Garcia, 16, Carpentersville

The first time Jeanette walked into the Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Township nine years ago, she was struck by people's friendliness and warmth.

"I went as a visitor, and I really, really liked it. Everybody was so nice. As soon as I walked in everyone started talking and showing me around," said Garcia, a junior at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville. That same experience is recreated whenever a newcomer arrives, because Boys & Girls Club members seek out new friendships and enjoy meeting different people, Jeanette said.

"I've made a lot of friendships. It's so amazing, everybody gets along," she said.

The club has two sites, one for younger children and one for teenagers. All begin the afternoon with homework time, followed by activities that vary according to age group: while the younger children go swimming, for example, the older kids go on college campus visits. All spend time having group talks about age-appropriate topics like making the right choices, staying away from gangs and drugs, being smart about dating and getting ready to get a job, Jeanette said. Before she started working at a pizza place, she would spend a lot of time doing community service, including walking dogs for an animal shelter, playing cards with the elderly at a retirement home, and helping out during Sunday school at her church.

Her mother, Micaela Garcia, said she always tells co-workers about the Boys & Girls Club and how much it has done for her daughter, to encourage them to enroll their children as well.

"I don't think there are many Latinos that know about the club, and the ones who know about it think they have to pay, but it's free," she said. "My daughter really likes it, and all mothers want the best for their children."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.boysandgirlsclubofelgin.org/">Boys & Girls Club of Elgin</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bgclc.com/">Boys & Girls Club of Lake County</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bgcdt.org/">Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Twp.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bgcwestcook.org/">Boys & Girls Club of West Cook County, Inc.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bgca.org/YOY/index.asp">Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year information</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>