What lies beyond the threshold of the hallmark blue door at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County?

A full capacity crowd at Club Talavera at PGA Village Verano discovered the answer first-hand on February 6th as the four Youth of the Year finalists ushered them through their journeys of hardship and challenge and ultimately beyond the blue door that promises, “Great Futures Start Here!”

The Youth of Year Competition, presented by Ken & Aileen Pruitt, is the premier recognition program in which one nominee is chosen to represent each of four neighborhood-based clubs. Nominees are 14- 18 years old, possess demonstrated leadership skills, quality of character, academic achievement and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This year’s accomplished field of candidates, Christian Galentine, Yan Morrison, Kayla Williams, and Yaluris Torres, acknowledged that The Boys & Girls Clubs positively impacted their lives by helping them overcome the effects of bullying, develop a personal brand, and find stability in a tumultuous world.

Judges Travis Leonard, Jason Berger, Shelley Thomas, Paul Trabulsy, Melissa Corbit, Dr. Monique Mondesir, and James Taylor had the challenging task of selecting a single winner based on essays, interviews, and speeches.

The 2019 Youth of the Year is Kayla Williams of the Ken Pruitt Club!

Kayla shared, “When I started going to my Club I was all around a closed book and didn’t think anyone could help me. Now, I am a leader, and my character has grown for the better.  The greatest gift the Club has given me is the understanding that others’ knowledge can greatly improve my life!”

Thanks to the Club’s college tours, Williams’ is confident that her dream of attending college will become a reality.  And as the winner, she will represent St. Lucie County at the State Youth of the Year Competition in April!

Williams received a $2,500 scholarship thanks to GL Homes, $1,500 in scholarship from Philip Busch and Southern Eagle Distributing and, thanks to Dr. Shamsher Singh, an Honor Flight experience.

But, each candidate emerged a victor taking home the knowledge that they are a leader and the following prizes: a Boys & Girls Club Padfolio; an experience at Rush Trampoline Park; tumblers and additional goodies: a Natalie’s Orchid Island swag bag; and, tickets to the St. Lucie County Fair.  The runner-up was awarded a $1,000 scholarship while the 3rd and 4th place candidates also both received an Apple iPad thanks to Philip Busch and Southern Eagle Distributing.

Candidate Yaluris Torres summed it up best stating, “The Boys & Girls Clubs change every single person who walks through those blue doors!”