Oceanside CA— Julie Hernandez, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) alumna, and 2016 El Camino High School graduate, was named San Diego County’s Youth of the Year at the 2017 Youth of the Year Dinner this past week. This is the second consecutive year that Julie has won this prestigious honor.
Julie, along with seven other San Diego County Youth of the Year contestants, gave a speech on the impact Boys & Girls Clubs had on her life, and what being Youth of the Year means to her. Julie graced the stage with eloquence as she shared how Club staff like Mr. Mike Hollins helped her to overcome her immobilizing shyness and gave her the self-confidence to pursue her dreams. Growing up with a single mom who worked multiple jobs, Julie had to take on many adult responsibilities at a young age. The Club allowed her to be a kid, free from adult worries and free to find and develop her passion for Chemistry.
Julie will move on to compete at a regional and potentially national level to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Julie is an astounding young woman who has not let her past circumstances define her future” said Jodi Diamond, CEO. “Her resilience and vigor for life inspires others and we know she will achieve great things in her lifetime.”
Julie graduated high school early at the age of 16 with a 4.6 Grade Point Average. She now attends Mira Costa College with plans to transfer to University of California, Berkeley, or Stanford University to pursue a degree in Chemistry.
Youth of the Year is a national Boys & Girls Clubs of America program. Since 1947 this has been the premier recognition program for Clubs, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the Youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership and service; academic excellence; and healthy life styles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside please contact Emily Crisman at ECrisman@bgcoceanside.org, call (760) 433-8920, and visit our website BGCOceanside.org or Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BGCOside .