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Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Name Jasmin Gonzalez 2009 Youth of the Year — Samantha Rodriguez and Jazmine Dessaure Honored as Center "Youth of the Year"

Mount Kisco, NY (April 23, 2009) – The Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester announced today that 17 year-old Jasmin Gonzalez (of Sleepy Hollow) has been selected as Club's 2009 Youth of the Year, the highest honor the Club bestows on one of its members. 18 year-old Samantha Rodriguez (of Yorktown) and 16 year-old Jazmine Dessaure (of Mt. Kisco) were also recognized as Youth of the Year at their local Centers. The national program, administered by Boys and Girls Clubs of America, recognizes exemplary character, superior leadership skills, academic achievement, outstanding service to Boys and Girls Clubs, and community outreach.

This accomplishment earned Gonzalez a $1,000 scholarship from the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Gonzalez will also compete against other Boys & Girls Club youth for the New York State Youth of the Year title. Five regional winners selected among state winners will compete for the national honor in Washington, D.C., where the National Youth of the Year will officially be installed by the President in a White House ceremony in September. In addition, the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship from The Reader's Digest Association, the sponsor of the program since its inception in 1947.

Gonzalez described herself at 11 years-old as shy and withdrawn, with no idea how to make new friends or join in a group without feeling like an intruder. That's how she entered the Club. Within a year, however, the Club became Gonzalez's "second home" and her "reason for getting up and going to school." Now President of the Keystone Club, Gonzalez credits the Club for bringing her out of her shell, making her more confident, self assured, able to ask for help and develop strong friendships.

Since 2003, Gonzalez has volunteered over 950 hours of her time at the Club helping with the 5 and 6 year olds. Of her peers at the Club, she says, "I try to show them that, whatever their differences may be, fitting in will not be a problem in such a diverse and friendly environment." Gonzalez planned and coordinated the Keystone's Global Youth Service Day 2009 and is currently a member of the Junior Staff, providing homework help for younger members. Through the assistance of the Club's staff she greatly improved her grades and became an honor student. A member of the National Honor Society, Gonzalez' immediate goal is to graduate high school with honors and an Advanced Designation Regents Diploma. She hopes to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology and have a successful career in fashion.

Samantha Rodriguez is a Yorktown High School senior who's passion is to make the world a better place. A Club member for more than six years, Rodriguez is part of the Center's Junior Staff and was also named Yorktown Center's Youth of the Year in 2008. She revived the Keystone Club and, after two years as vice president, is now in her second year as president. Rodriguez organized a number of fundraisers for the Club and advises the Club's Yorktown Advisory Board. She also coaches younger teen girls through the Club's SMART Girls program. Rodriguez plans to pursue a career in Hospitality Management or Business and hopes to one day open a resort spa.

A Club member since age 5, Jazmine Dessaure is president of the Keystone Club and a former president of the Torch Club. She coordinates a step dance competition for teams from Westchester and the Bronx and started the Club's step team, Souljah Steppers. Having benefited from so much of what the Club has to offer, Dessaure is determined to give back. She assisted pre-school teachers for three years and is part of the Wilfred Jennings Summer Leadership Program. She also helps run the Club's SMART Girls program. Currently a junior at Fox Lane High School, Dessaure hopes to pursue a degree in education.

"We are pleased to recognize Jasmin, Samantha, and Jazmine, all of whom have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Club and community," said Brian Skanes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. "They have proven themselves as leaders and mentors to our younger members. We congratulate them and look forward to bright futures for all three."

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY and can be reached at (914) 666-8069 or email. To contact the Club's Teen Center, located at 317 Main Street in Mt. Kisco, please call (914) 733-0033.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester was established in 1939 as a place for "boys to get off the streets." It is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and enabling young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Located in Mt. Kisco, NY, the 36,000-square-foot facility features an eight-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, games room, and two computer labs, and an additional 1,600-foot Teen Center facility. The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester serves 3,000 youths, boys and girls ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities. The Club has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Press Contacts: Kelly Lee, Co-Communications, 914-666-0066, kelly@cocommunications.com

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Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York 10549 (914) 666-8069