Oceanside CA— Last week, the Boy and Girls Clubs of Oceanside(BGCO) held their 2017 Achievement Awards and announced the winner of the 2018 Youth of the Year award, Ariana Tahmas.
“I was not prepared for this at all. I’m just speechless right now,” said her mother, Durry. “I’m just so proud of her.”
Ariana thanked the people who have helped her while at BGCO , “Listen to your mentors, they are right,” said Ariana in her acceptance speech. “Help each other out. Teach each other the lessons of life and encourage each other to move on and become an empowering figure.”
Along with Ariana as candidates for Youth of the Year, 2018, were Justin Kaito Church, Jackie Thai and Jennifer Jimenez. “It was a very difficult decision we had to make,” said Robert Botkin, BGCO Board President. “Each one of the candidates was deserving of the award.” Jennifer Jimenez received the ‘Distinguished Youth of the Year’ award.
Along with Youth of the Year, the 2017 Members of the Year received medals and certificates for their work at their respective sites. “This prestigious award goes to members who best represent what being a club member is all about. These members have demonstrated outstanding efforts, high levels of club participation and are exemplary role models to other members in our community,” said Jodi Diamond, BGCO CEO.
2017 Members of the Year:
- Foussat Elementary- Ashley Colores, Isaiah Fonseca, Erllaine Pardillo
- Laurel Elementary- Judith Flores, Sandro Ortega, Emily Penaflor
- MLK- Jahnessa Baker, Alexander Duffy, Amara Elam, Colin Killough, Aubrey Lupola, Jason Torres
- San Luis Rey– Isaac Carillo, Raquel Celestino, Ellie Leal
- South Oceanside- Janessa Buchanan, Alan Ramirez, Banning Sargent
- Townsite– Luis Alfaro, Alaina Jackson, Isabella Martinez, Desiree Wallis
2017 R.O.A.D.’s Members:
Michael Baker, Manny Diaz, Sam Finn-May, Ryan Hale, Michael Hawk, Trent Heller, David Hultz, Jessica Karnes, Gigi Lacy, Billy Lockett, Stephanie Macias, Dylan Martinez, Aaron McAfee, Connor Mohr, Ryan Mohr, Dakota Mullen, Kathy Nakamura, Torey Nakano, Suzy Riehm, Nicole Rodenas, Jenna Rowe, Abby Schulze, Michael Shearn, Austin Staack, Carlos, Verdias