Salt Lake City, Utah December 8, 2022 – Selected among four outstanding youths, Yoaltici has been named the Greater Salt Lake Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. The youth compete for the title all year through their actions. The Youth of the Year is engaged with their Club, they are looked to by their peers as a friend and leader, they stand up for what they believe in, and remain a source of kindness to all.

Now in its 76th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures. As the Greater Salt Lake Youth of the Year, Yoaltici will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the Greater Salt Lake area, and will receive a $2,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake.

This Spring, Yoaltici will compete against other Utah Club winners to vie for the state title. If named the state winner, she will be awarded an additional $2,500 college scholarship and the chance to compete for the regional title. Six youth, including five regional winners and a military youth winner, will advance to the Regional Youth of the Year event in to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Pacific Regional Youth of the Year. Then the Pacific Regional winner will move on toNational Youth of the Year, where the winner will receive an additional scholarship of $50,000.

Yoaltici has been described by her teachers as dedicated- she has ambitions to become a lawyer or politician, and is passionate about getting involved in her community. She has been elected twice to be president of the Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. She has been an outstanding leader because of her ability to listen to others' ideas, consider them thoughtfully, and make her decisions with kindness.

In her speech on the impact of Boys & Girls Club on her life, Yaoltici shared her moving story. Her father spent time in jail during her childhood, and she felt it set her on a path of anger. She felt isolated and couldn't find friends who understood her. Her parents confronted her about her anger and behavior, it served as a wake-up call that she needed to find a way to change. When she came to Boys & Girls Club she found friends like her. Other Hispanic children, other oldest sisters who felt responsible for their siblings, and other kids who felt like they did not fit in. It allowed her to feel unconditional support. She credits the staff with pushing her to become better, academically and personally. Now she is ready to take on college and the battle of making her community a better place for everyone however she can.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.

 

 

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