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Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich
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Youth of the Year
Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States honor one local youth as their “Youth of the Year.” Candidates are outstanding members, 14 to 18 years of age, who exhibit exceptional leadership skills, academic achievement, and outstanding service to Club and community.  Past winners have included Victoria Lattanzio, Spencer Gordon and Brianna Barefoot
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From the youth who are nominated, only a few will be selected.  Finalists will be interviewed, and asked to write essays on their home and family life, spiritual values, school and community, and life goals.  A panel of judges will make the final decision.  Local winners will compete against other Boys & Girls Club youths for the state “Youth of the Year” title.  

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Eveyln Ortiz, our Youth of the Year, competed against other outstanding youth across the state of New York and won the title of New York State Youth of the Year!
Evelyn will now move on to the next phase of the competition and compete for the title of Northeast Youth of the Year.  
Congratulations Evelyn!

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2021 Youth of the Year 
Evelyn Ortiz

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The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is excited to recognize an outstanding member of the Club with the “Youth of the Year” award for 2021, which is generously sponsored by the Quinn Family Foundation. The Club is extremely proud to announce the “Youth of the Year” for 2021 is Evelyn Ortiz. This member will go on to compete at the Youth of the Year state level, and may progress to the regional and national competition. The Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.” The recipient is selected based on their character, willingness to help, and positive attitude. They show dedication to character and citizenship, living a healthy lifestyle and to academic success. The Youth of the Year title is the most prestigious Club honor bestowed upon a young person. These individuals exemplify the Boys & Girls Club values and are proof of the impact Clubs make in transforming young people’s lives. Previous recipients of this award include, James Bodian in 2020, Brianna Barefoot in 2019, and Spencer Gordon in 2018. 
Evelyn joined the Club as a teen in 2017 when her younger siblings, Brianna and James, became members. Her parents were both out of the house in the afternoon, and they wanted a safe place for their children to go  afterschool. As a teen, Evelyn felt a little old to be at the Club and often found herself asking counselors if she could help.  She was a natural teacher and with so much experience taking care of her younger siblings, she fit in perfectly at the Club as a member of the Club’s Torch Club for teen volunteers. Her positive interactions with youth while she was at the Club made it obvious to all, that she would one day work there. When she was old enough, she was offered a job as a program assistant and she has been making a difference in children’s lives every day since then. Evelyn also works at the Control Desk signing members in, assisting families with registration and pick-up, and doing data entry for the Club. When she is not at the Control Desk, Evelyn is helping members with Gala performances and other special projects.
Evelyn, a senior at Oyster Bay-East Norwich High School, is an active member of extracurricular activities. She is a member of the “Breaking Boarders Club,” the publicity officer for the school yearbook, and a member of the Chamber Singers. She is currently preparing for the school chorus’ “Cavalcade of Choirs,” where she will be featured as a soloist. At last year’s school musical, “Into the Woods,” she stole the show as Cinderella’s mother. It’s no wonder her favorite movie is “High School Musical 2.”
When she’s not that the Club, she enjoys spending time with her family and participating in her church choir. This fall, Evelyn will be attending Adelphi University where she plans to major in childhood/elementary education. Her dream since kindergarten has been to become a teacher. At an early age, Evelyn was inspired by her teachers, and she wants to be an inspiration to the next generation of learners.  Evelyn will be the first member of her family to attend college and is on track to not only receive a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree, as well. When asked how the Club impacted her, Evelyn replied, “the Club has taught me the lesson that hard work pays off and dedication opens doors and opportunities. As a young Woman Of Color from the Latinx community, opportunities like this do not present themselves every day. The Club has helped me embrace who I am and I am thankful for all the people I have met and who have helped me get to where I am. The Club holds a special place in my heart.” When asked what she would tell someone about the Club, she responded “It’s a great place to meet people and you have the opportunity to do so many things. It’s a place where I have met some of my best friends and it was one of the best decisions she had made to join.”
Evelyn’s favorite color is purple, and she loves the t.v. show “The Office” which explains her admiration for the show’s star, John Krasinski. Her favorite superhero is Black Panther. She loves the subject math and when it comes to reading, “The Great Gatsby” is at the top of her list. Original cheesecake is her weakness, and the Fourth of July is her holiday of choice. When asked who she admires most, she said “my Mom! She has been through so many hardships and she’s taught the biggest lessons of life. I would not be here without her advice.”
Evelyn is a hard worker who excels at school. She is as dedicated to ensuring she has a great future as she is to ensuring the youth at the Club do, as well. She finds the time to balance school, work and her family obligations without missing a beat. She is eager to take on any task presented to her, and her reliability is one of her many strengths. The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is proud to announce its Youth of the Year for 2021, Evelyn Ortiz. 

Sophia Pavlovic
Junior Youth of the Year
 

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The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is excited to recognize an outstanding member of the Club with the “Junior Youth of the Year” award for 2021, generously sponsored by the Quinn Family Foundation. The Boys & Girls Club is proud to announce its “Junior Youth of the Year” for 2021, Sophia Pavlovic. The Junior Youth of the Year program fosters Club members’ emerging leadership abilities while preparing them for later participation in the Youth of the Year program. It cultivates members’ leadership potential and provides a needed foundation for advanced leadership development and academic success. The Junior Youth of the Year recognition program is presented to one outstanding youth. The recipient is selected based on their character, willingness to help, and positive attitude. They show dedication to character and citizenship, living a healthy lifestyle and to academic success. The Junior Youth of the Year title is a prestigious Club honor, and the winner exemplifies Boys & Girls Club values and is proof of the impact the Club is make on transforming young people’s lives. This is the second year this award has been appointed; last year’s recipient was Max Lapidus.
Sophia, a sixth grader at the James H. Vernon School, joined the Club seven years ago as a kindergartener. She is an active participant in the Club’s After School Program and recently started volunteering at the Friday Night Fun events. Sophia is a friendly young lady who smiles and says “hello” to everyone she passes at the Club. Each day, after finishing her homework, she stops by the Control Desk to check in and see if there are any projects needing her assistance.  
Sophia loves to be involved in everything at the Club. She has participated in art workshops, sports classes, and cooking programs. She recently participated in the Club’s “Sweet Treats” Valentine’s Day Chocolate Workshop and had a blast. Sophia loves hanging out in the gym with her friends and spending time in the art room. When asked what she would say to children who are thinking about joining the Club, she replied, “It’s so fun! You get to play with your friends and meet new people.”
When she is not at the Club, Sophia can be found taking care of her dogs, Gianni and Bleu. She is an animal lover, who, in addition to her two dogs, also has a fish named Bubbles, and two guinea pigs named, P.J. and Stevey. When she grows up, Sophia would like to be a teacher or have a career working with animals because she loves them so much.
Sophia’s favorite color is pink, and her favorite food is bacon. She loves to read, and her favorite book is “Smile.” Her favorite movie is “Pitch Perfect,” and her favorite song is “All Summer Long.” When asked who
she admires most, she replied, “both of my parents, because they always find time to do stuff with me.” She lives at home with her mom, Francesca; her dad, Marijo; her brother, GianLuca; and sister, Angelina, both of whom were former members of the Club. When asked how the Club has impacted her, Sophia shared, “I always learn something new here. I learned how to sew, and I also  learned so much about photography.”
Sophia has a smile on her face every day and is always interested in trying something new. She has a generous heart and is consistently willing to help younger members with their projects so they can try new things, too. She has a positive attitude and a great outlook in life. She is an outstanding addition to the Club, and we are ecstatic to have her as the 2021 Junior Youth of the Year.  

2020 Youth of the Year
James Bodian 

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CONGRATULATIONS to James Bodian “Youth of the Year” for 2020 at the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich! 

The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is excited to recognize an outstanding member of the Club with the “Youth of the Year” award for 2020. Each year, one outstanding youth is selected to represent the organization at local events. This member goes on to compete at the state level in Albany, and may progress to the regional and national competition. The Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s  “signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.” The recipient is selected based on their character, willingness to help, and positive attitude. They show dedication to character and citizenship, living a healthy lifestyle and to academic success. The Youth of the Year title is the most prestigious Club honor bestowed upon a young person. These individuals exemplify the Boys & Girls Club values and are proof of the impact clubs make in transforming young people lives. The Club is proud to announce the “Youth of the Year” for 2020, James Bodain.
Three years ago, when James was in the 7th grade, he joined the Boys & Girls Club because he wanted to be a volunteer. He began as a member of the Torch Club, a group that focuses on leadership and service to the community. James volunteered in the office and helped with Club mailings and assisted younger members with their homework. James, an avid hockey player, volunteered to assist with the Club’s hockey program last winter, and shared his love for the sport with Club members. This year, James is a ninth grader at Portledge School, and a member of our Keystone Club. James attends all meetings and actively participates in volunteer opportunities.
James thinks of himself as an advocate and an initiator. When he saw a need for a community-focused Club at his school, he started one so that he and his peers could discuss social causes and current events taking place in the world around them.
James has a passion for changing the world. Living so close the water, he is extremely conscious of the changes in our environment and seeks out ways to make a difference. James just finished raising an oyster garden to aid in water filtration. This past summer, he noticed an excess in plastic bottles, especially at local sporting events, and he felt himself called to action. He began collecting recyclable bottles left over at lacrosse games and from family and friends. In addition to having a positive effect on the environment by starting this recycling project, he also wanted to use the project to make a direct difference to the children he was impacting at the Club. James raised more than $800.00 and donated it to the Club so members could have new games and equipment.
James loves technology and hopes to become a film editor. He dreams of attending UCLA. When asked what he would tell other children about the Club, he responded “as a member, you will be able to participate in many fun and engaging Clubs and programs offered at the Club! It’s a place to interact with peers and learn new skills, all in a safe, nurturing environment, with support and guidance available along the way to help recognize and identify your strengths and potential.  James is a team player who is dedicated to helping others and making a difference. Staff members nominated James for Youth of the Year because he is the first to volunteer when opportunities arise and is willing to assist wherever needed.  When he is not at the Club, he loves playing ice hockey, golf, and participating in extracurricular activities at school. He is a member of Portledge’s Green Club and Model U.N. James lives at home with his mother, father, sister and brother, William, who is also a member, and his dog Dunkin.
The Boys & Girls Club congratulates James Bodian, the 2020 “Youth of the Year”! 
The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is proud to congratulate James Bodian, our “Youth of the Year” for 2020. 

Junior Youth of the Year 
Starting in 2020, The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is excited to recognize an outstanding member of the Club with the “Junior Youth of the Year” award.

The Junior Youth of the Year program fosters Club members’ emerging leadership abilities while preparing them for later participation in the Youth of the Year program. It cultivates members leadership potential and provides a needed foundation for advanced leadership development and academic success. The Junior Youth of the Year recognition program, is presented to one outstanding youth. The recipient is selected based on their character, willingness to help, and positive attitude. They show dedication to character and citizenship, living a healthy lifestyle and to academic success.

​The Junior Youth of the Year title is a prestigious Club honor, and the winner exemplifies Boys & Girls Club values and is proof of the impact the Club is make on transforming young people lives. 

2020 Junior Youth of the Year 
​Max Lapidus 

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​CONGRATULATIONS to Max Lapidus  “Junior Youth of the Year” for 2020 at the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich! 

Max Lapidus, a seventh grader at Oyster Bay High School, has been a member of the Club for seven years. During those years, Max has participated in the Afterschool Program, the Senior Gamesroom, and in Friday Night Fun events. This year, he has been an active member of the Club’s Torch Club, a volunteer-based program, focused on leadership and service to the community. Max actively volunteers, aiding younger members with their homework and in the gym. Max also volunteers on Friday Nights and at Spectacular Saturday events, serving pizza to members and helping in the Gamesroom.  Max is always willing to help out and younger members look forward to him coming to the Cub. They love to play against him on the X-Box and to challenge him to a game of basketball, which has always been Max’s favorite thing to do at the Club.
 
Max is a talented athlete, and a member of Oyster Bay’s basketball, cross country and wrestling teams.  He is also an avid skier. His favorite subject in school is science and he has always actively participated in the Club’s S.T.E.M. programs, so it’s no surprise that when he grows up, he would like to be an architect or a teacher.  Max’s favorite T.V. show is “Impractical Jokers” and his favorite movie is “The Blind Side.”  Max likes to read and his favorite book is “Because of Winn Dixie.
 
 He lives at home with his mother, Janet, father, Allan and brother David, who was a member of the Club for 12 years. They have two dogs, Misty and Buddy. Max is a tremendous help when he volunteers at the Club and is always excited to help out wherever he is needed. The staff at the Club appreciate his desire to make a difference in the lives of the youth the Club serves and to give back to the Club. When asked about the Club and why children should join, Max said “The Club is a great way to make friends and stay active. The staff are friendly, helpful, and caring.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich is proud to congratulate Max Lapidus, as its 2020 Junior Youth of the Year. 
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