NEWS

Awards and High Fives to Boys and Girls Club Youths

Annual kudos handed out to Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club members.

3/2/2003

By Rena’ Cherrick
Signal Staff Writer

The Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club saluted their heroes of 2002 and voiced high hopes for the club in the upcoming year at their 34th Annual Youth Awards Dinner held Thursday, Feb. 20. It was hosted by the 2003 Governing Board and Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill.  

To warm up the audience and start things off with a bang, talented young Angela Parks, 9, from the Newhall Central Facility club, sang “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song from the movie “Titanic.” With poise and high notes Parks transformed the auditorium into a concert hall.

A tough act to follow, but taking the lead, Jim Ventress, chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Club was introduced and congratulated for 26 years of service with the Club. With true altruism, Ventress dismissed his own accomplishments and focused on the children, the staff and the parents. “These kids are our future,” Ventress said. Part of that future is the Magic Keystone Club of the SCV, teenagers who have grown up with the club throughout the years and serve as role models for the younger members.

Providing a positive environment and serving as role models themselves, Ventress thanked his staff for “putting in a lot of extra time. They don’t get paid enough, but they are always here because they believe in the young people.”

Making all of their work possible, Ventress gave the parents a final note of thanks “for trusting your kids to us. They are precious.” Before departing the stage, he presented the Club Parents of the Year award to David and Shirlene Mills. The couple volunteer for field trips, special events such as the Haunted Jailhouse, impersonate Santa Claus at Christmas and coach a variety of different teams throughout the year.

Residents of Santa Clarita since 1997, the couple has two children who are active members of the club and enjoy helping out whenever possible. “Working with the Boys and Girls Club is like another home. I really enjoy it. If it wasn’t for the club I don’t know what I would do,” David Mills said.

Continuing in the spirit of volunteerism, the Program Partners Award was presented to the First Presbyterian Church. They provide food for the children and families of the club and continually help out in rain or shine.

The Program Volunteer Award was presented to Dennis Fore, a devoted volunteer who has helped the club to expand their technology. “This person has come to our rescue many times. He is always available to help troubleshoot...He has spent long hours during the past few years working at our Annual Auction, making sure the system is running correctly,” said Bryran Lake, Director of Administration, who presented the award.

The following awards were given to the youth of the organization for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the year.

The Artist of the Year was awarded to Noah Veloz, of the Central Facility club. He has been rated in the last four talent shows, involved in the Cal-Arts program, enjoys sculpting, dancing and kickboxing and shows talent in all areas of art. Cherie Shefton, Art Director of the Boys and Girls Club, said as she presented the award to the youth.

Kalene Veloz, Project Learn Coordinator of the Boys and Girls Club, presented the Project Learn Award to three high achieving youths, Erin Humphries, James Santucci and Desiree Almanza, all of the Central Facility club. “They have a real love of curiosity and participate in high yield activities,” Veloz replied.

The club also recognized the “Boys and Girls of the Month”: January, Raymond Mercado; February, Alex Shefton; March, Danielle Young; April, Daruish Amir Mortazavi; May, Aldo Sanchez; June, Daisy Lopez; July, Ricardo “Cooney” Medrano; August, Becky Johnson; September, Anna Bistrain; October, Bethany Bardwell; November, Tony Chiodo and December, Amores Bradford.

The Youth of the Year finalists were narrowed down to three; Alex Shefton, Ricardo “Cooney” Medrano and Becky Johnson. They were introduced by Connie Worden-Roberts, vice-president for Board Development. “These individuals have shown exemplary conduct, not only in the club but in their life. They also serve another important role...models for others. They participate in school events and get good grades in school. The club is proud of these three young people,” Worden-Roberts replied.

Shefton, a home-schooled sophomore and member of the Central Facility club, is involved in the Torch Club, Thespian Club, volleyball, speech debate and toastmaster. His life ambition is to study graphic design and film making.

Medrano is a junior from Valencia High School and a member of the Val Verde satellite club. He is a mentor and role model for those around him, volunteer for the Haunted House fundraiser, member of the Varsity Football team and is rated number six in defense for southern California. His life ambition is to study automobile engineering and play football.

Johnson is a sophomore from Canyon High School and member of the Sierra Vista satellite club. She is a five year member with a previous youth of the month award and always assists others whenever needed. She enjoys hanging out with friends and ice-skating. Her life ambition is to study architecture.

Tom Dierckman, President of the Boys and Girls Club, replied “It has been a privilege to hear about the accomplishments of these wonderful kids. They have high aspirations for the future...They are truly a glimpse of our future. They are the absolute best. These are the kids who will be leading us tomorrow,” before presenting the Youth of the Year Award to Ricardo “Cooney” Medrano.

“This really means a lot to me. I have been a member of the Boys and Girls Club for a long time. I’ve been one of the top finalists for the last couple of years but never won it. But now, I finally got it. I finally won it,” Medrano said as he accepted the award.

Courtesy of The Signal. Used with permission.

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