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.  

2020 Youth of the Year
James Bodian 

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. 

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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 

​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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