2014 Youth of the Year Awards Dinner

Galloping Hill CaterersUnion, NJ

April 3, 20146:00pm

Meet the 2014Youth of the Year

Candidates

Natalia Rincon

Union Club

Marlisa Shaw

Union Club

Jalah OatesElizabeth

Club

Kyan FreemanPlainfield

Club

Buddie of the Year

Ava Buchanan, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Hillside “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A Kindergarten student at A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center.

Ava has been a member for one year, when she began attending our “Project Learn” After School program.

Ava wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up, and really loves hamsters.

Ava is respectful, well behaved, and cooperative. She gets along well with all of her peers, and her counselors love spending time with her each day.

Ava Buchanan

Sunna McQueen, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Hillside “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 2nd Grade student at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School that prides herself on receiving A’s and B’s in all of her subjects.

Sunna has been a member of the Club for 1 year, when she began attending our Project Learn After School Program.

Sunna showcases her leadership abilities every day. She is always willing to help others, especially during homework hour.

She loves attending aftercare, and participates in all the extracurricular activities offered, such as arts & crafts, board games, gym, and reading.

Sunna McQueen

Niyara Williams, the 2014 Buddie of the Year Award Winner from the Union Club is:

A 1st grade student at Hannah Caldwell School in Union, NJ.

Niyara enjoys going to school where she loves to participate in Silent Reading.

She has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since 2013, when she began participating in the Buddie After School Program.

Her favorite thing about the Boys & Girls Club is being able to participate in all of the activities and programs.

When Niyara grows up she wants to become a Teacher.

Niyara is a very well-behaved, energetic, and polite young lady.

Niyara Williams

Ashley Debono, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Elizabeth Club is:

A 4th grade student at Mabel G. Holmes, where her favorite subject is Social Studies.

She is a hard working student who earns A’s and B’s in all her subjects.

She has been a member of the Club for 2 years when she began participating in the Buddie After School Program.

At the Club, Ashley enjoys playing in the gym, participating in Arts & Crafts and Computers.

When she grows up, she wants to become a Teacher.

Ashley Debono

Xander Long, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Roselle “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A Kindergarten student at Kindergarten Success Academy in Roselle, where his favorite subject is reading.

He is a hard working student who earns A’s and B’s in all his subjects.

He has been a member of the Club for 1 year when he began participating in the Buddie After School Program.

At the Club, Xander enjoys playing board games and creating Arts & Crafts projects.

When he grows up, he wants to become a Police Officer.

Xander Long

Candace Heron, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Roselle “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 3rd grade student at Polk Elementary School, where her favorite subjects are Math & Reading.

She is a hard working student who earns A’s and B’s in all her subjects.

She has been a member of the Club for 4 years when she began participating in the program.

At the Club, Candace enjoys playing Connect Four, Uno and Checkers.

When Candace grows up, she wants to become a Fashion Designer. She wants to develop her own line of clothing for girls.

Candace Heron

Mackenly Jean Louis, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Roselle “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 2nd Grade student at Washington Elementary in Roselle, where his favorite subjects are Social Studies and Math.

Mackenly normally receives good grades in all of his classes.

He has been a member of the Roselle Club since 2011 when he began participating in Smart Moves, Project Learn and Triple Play.

His favorite activities are playing basketball and tag.

When he grows up, he wants to become a Doctor.

Mackenly Jean Louis

Analya Saint Albord, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Roselle “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 2nd grade student at Harrison Elementary School in Roselle, where her favorite subjects are reading & spelling.

She is a hard working student who earns A’s and B’s in all her subjects.

She has been a member of the Club for 1 year when she began participating in the Buddie After School Program.

At the Club, she enjoys playing with her friends and participating in Power hour.

When she grows up, she wants to become a Writer.

Analya Saint Albord

Iyanna Fladger, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Plainfield Club is:

A Kindergarten student at Woodland Elementary School, where she always excels in her courses.

Iyanna has been a member of the Club for almost one year, when she began participating in Summer Fun Club, Triple Play and the Buddie After-School Program.

Iyanna enjoys spending time with her family and loves to play pool at the Boys & Girls Club.

Iyanna Fladger

Nylah Hughes-Green, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Linden “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A student at School 5 in Linden, where her favorite subject is Reading.

She is a hardworking student who earns A’s and B’s in all her subjects.

She has been a Club member for 6 months, when she began participating in the program.

At the Club, Nylah enjoys participating in Power Hour and Arts and Crafts.

When she grows up she wants to be a Fashion Designer.

Nylah Hughes

Tahirah Kelley, the 2014 Buddie of the Year from the Linden “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 5th grade student at School 4 in Linden, where her favorite subject is Science.

She is a hard working student who earns A’s and B’s in all her subjects.

She has been a member of the Club for 6 months when she began participating in the program.

At the Club, Tahirah enjoys participating in Power Hour and playing basketball with her friends.

When she grows up, she wants to become a School Teacher.

Tahirah Kelley

Junior of the Year

Larissa Wade, the 2014 Junior of the Year from the Hillside “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 5th Grade student at George Washington Elementary School whose favorite subject is math.

Larissa has been a member of the Club for 4 years, when she began attending our Project Learn After School Program.

Larissa loves to help others and give advice to her friends and fellow classmates.

You can always count on Larissa to be helpful, cooperative, and respectful. She always knows when it is time to get work done, but is always ready to have fun!

Larissa Wade

Iyanna Wilkins, the 2014 Junior of the Year Award Winner from the Union Club is:

An 8th grade student at Barnett Middle School in Union.

Iyanna excels in all of her classes, especially Mathematics, which is her favorite subject.

She has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since 2011, when she began participating in the after school program. Recently, Iyanna participated in our SMART Girls “Girl Talk” program. Iyanna is currently an active member of our Torch Club.

Her favorite activities are hanging out with her friends and family, playing computer games, and reading.

When Iyanna grows up she wants to become a Pediatrician.

Her favorite thing about the Boys & Girls Club is that you are free to express yourself and you get to meet people from different areas.

Iyanna is a very well-mannered, dedicated, young woman who is always willing to help out her counselors or fellow Club Members.

Iyanna Wilkins

Nashaun Mickens, the 2014 Junior of the Year from the Elizabeth Club is:

A 6th grade student at Juan Pablo Duart, where his favorite subject is math.

He is a hard working student who earns A’s in all his subjects.

He has been a member of the Club for 4 years when he began participating in the Buddie After School Program.

At the Club, Nashaun enjoys playing in the gym, participating in Arts & Crafts and Club Tech programs.

When he grows up, he wants to become an Architect.

Nashaun Mickens

Amel Ouji, the 2014 Junior of the Year from the Roselle “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 6th Grade student at LV Moore in Roselle, where her favorite subjects are Math and English.

Amel normally receives good grades in all of her classes.

She has been a member of the Roselle Club since 2010 and loves to participate in Smart Moves, Power Hour and Triple Play.

Her favorite activities are playing basketball and video games.

When Amel grows up, she wants to become a Veterinarian.

Amel Ouji

Kalijah Mathis, the 2014 Junior of the Year, from the Plainfield Club is:

A 7th grade student at Hubbard Middle School where he does outstanding work in his courses.

He has been a member of the Plainfield Club is 2013, when he immediately began participating in Triple Play, After-School Programs and Club Tech.

He really enjoys playing basketball in his spare time.

When he grows up, he would like to become an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Kalijah Mathis

Spirit Award

Christian Allende, the 2014 Spirit of the Year from the Hillside “Project Learn” After School Program is:

A 4th Grade Honor Roll student at Hurden Looker Elementary School who excels in all of his subjects, especially Math.

Christian has been a member for over 3 years, when he began attending our Project Learn After School Program.

Christian loves to play basketball and is a member of the Hillside Knights team.

Christian enjoys participating in all activities, but loves gym time and playing Mat Ball.

Christian Allende

Roxanne “Roxy” Fernandez, the 2014 Spirit of the Year Award Winner from the Union Club is:

A 7th grade student at Burnet Middle School in Union.

Roxy excels in all of her classes, especially Math, Science, and Art, which are her favorites.

She has been a member of the Club since 2013, when she began participating in our After School program. Although she is one of our newest Club members, she quickly began, and continues, to leave her mark on our Club.

Roxanne is a very caring and outgoing young lady who is able to make a new friend where ever she goes. She can often be seen laughing and playing with her fellow Club Members or cheering up a friend in need.

Roxanne is a very energetic and talented young lady. Her favorite activities are drawing and dancing.

When Roxanne grows up she wants to become a Princess.

Her favorite thing about the Boys & Girls Club is that she gets to be with her friends.

Roxanne “Roxy” Fernandez

Divine Sargent-Perello, the 2014 Spirit of the Year from the Plainfield Club is:

A 6th grade student at Cedarbrook K-8 Center in Plainfield, where his favorite subjects are Physical Education and Science.

Divine has been a member of the Club since 2009, when he began participating in Passport to Manhood, Power Hour and Triple Play.

Some of Divine’s favorite activities are playing sports with his older brother and other family members.

Divine hopes to become an engineer when he grows up.

Divine Sargent-Perello

Youth of the Year

NATALIA RINCON, THE 2014 YOUTH OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP FROM THE UNION CLUB IS:

AN 18 YEAR OLD SENIOR AT MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL. SHE IS CURRENTLY PLANNING ON ATTENDING PRINCETON UNIVERSITY TO PURSUE A CAREER IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING UPON GRADUATION.

  HER FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL ARE MATH, AND FRENCH.  IN SCHOOL SHE PARTICIPATES IN THE FRENCH CLUB AS WELL AS ON THE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL

SWIM TEAM, WHERE THIS SEASON SHE BROKE TEN SCHOOL’S RECORDS.  SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FOR 10 YEARS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE

SWIM TEAM WHERE SHE HOLDS MORE THAN 20 RECORDS IN FLY, BACK AND IM EVENTS.   NATALIA HAS ALSO COMPETED IN COLUMBIA, ECUADOR, AND CHILE AS WELL AS MANY

COMPETITIONS HERE IN THE US.   NATALIA HAS BEEN A PART OF THE COLUMBIAN NATIONAL TEAM FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS

AND HAS COMPETED AND WON AT THE PACIFIC CUP.

IN HER SPARE TIME, SHE ENJOYS DANCING, PLAYING SPORTS, AND ATTENDING SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Natalia Rincon

MARLISA SHAW, THE 2014 YOUTH OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP FROM THE UNION CLUB IS:  A 15 YEAR OLD SOPHOMORE AT UNION HIGH SCHOOL. UPON GRADUATION MARLISA PLANS TO

ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PEDIATRIC MEDICINE.  HER FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL ARE SCIENCE AND MATH.  IN SCHOOL SHE PARTICIPATES IN BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, AND MAINTAINS A GPA OF 3.6.  MARLISA HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FOR 9 YEARS AND WAS A MEMBER OF

THE TIDAL WAVE SWIM TEAM, SUMMER FUN CLUB, TEEN LEADERSHIP CAMP AND TORCH CLUB. CURRENTLY SHE SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE Y.O.U. C.A.N. KEYSTONE CLUB. UNDER HER LEADERSHIP THE KEYSTONE CLUB HAS PARTICIPATED IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES.

  MARLISA ALSO VOLUNTEERS WITH IN THE BUDDIE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE SHE WORKS

WITH MEMBERS 5-11YRS OLD.  IN 2013 MARLISA PARTICIPATED IN OUR STAND DELIVER PROGRAM, AND WAS A FEATURED

PRESENTER AT THE “NIGHT OF ELOQUENCE.” 

Marlisa Shaw

JALAH OATES, THE 2014 YOUTH OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP FROM THE ELIZABETH CLUB IS:

A 17 YEAR OLD AT THE PATRICKS SCHOOL IN ELIZABETH.  HER CAREER PATH INSPIRATION TO BE A LAWYER STEMS FROM THE LOVE CARING AND

DEFENDING THE LESS FORTUNATE.  HER FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL ARE ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING.  SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FOR 12 YEARS AND IS A LEADER OF THE

SMART GIRLS GROUP; VICE PRESIDENT OF THE KEYSTONE CLUB AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM INTERN.

  IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING THE CLUB, SHE IS A MEMBER OF CHEERLEADING AND DANCE TEAM.  JALAH HAS ALSO COMPETED IN MANY SPORT COMPETITIONS FOR CHEERLEADING IN SEVERAL

STATES.

Jalah Oates

KYAN FREEMAN, THE 2014 YOUTH OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP FROM THE PLAINFIELD CLUB IS:

A SENIOR AT UNION COUNTY TEAMS CHARTER SCHOOL IN PLAINFIELD, WHERE HE IS AN EXCELLENT STUDENT AND EXCELS ACADEMICALLY.

KYAN’S FAVORITE SUBJECT IS ART, AND HE HOPES TO ONE DAY BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CARTOONIST.

HIS POST HIGH SCHOOL PLAN IS TO ATTEND THE ACADEMY OF ARTS UNIVERSITY IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

KYAN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CLUB FOR 4 YEARS, WHERE HE HAS PARTICIPATED IN CAREER LAUNCH, POWER HOUR, AND PASSPORT TO MANHOOD.

KYAN HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE JUNIOR STAFF PROGRAM AT THE CLUB.

Kyan Freeman

Timothy Williams-Energy Assistance Coordinator, Elizabethtown Gas

Douglas W. Schoenberger-VP Public Affairs, Verizon

Adrian O. Mapp-Mayor, Plainfield, NJ

Richard Vezza-Publisher, Star Ledger

Brian MacLean-VP Operations, Elizabethtown Gas

Jamel Holley-Mayor, Roselle, NJ

Kimberly Smith-Regional Director, Community Investment, Comcast

Meet Our Judges

2014 Youth of the Year Award Winner…