Wallingford Celebrates Mariana Espino As the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County 2015 Youth of the Year Winner!
Personifying hard work, leadership and the drive to succeed as an immigrant, this Wallingford youth has a lot to be proud about!
On Feb 12, up to 360 business leaders and youth were at the Seattle Sheraton Downtown Hotel to recognize Youth of the Year winner, Mariana Espino, a member of the Wallingford Club.
There were 11 teens from Boys & Girls Clubs all over King County competing for the title. Judged on leadership qualities exhibited through service to the Club, community and family; their respective essays; life goals; values and moral character; academic success; and poise and public speaking.
Mariana Espino, walked away with the winning title and a $2,000 education scholarship.
“The judges wrestled with the tough decision as all 11 nominees are
phenomenal teens who all show leadership, drive and have amazing
character,” said Calvin L. Lyons, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs
of King County. “I would like to congratulate Mariana Espino on being
named King County’s 2015 Youth of the Year. She is an example to us
all.”
Espino said of her win, “The Boys & Girls Club has helped me become responsible, hard-working and respectful to others. I’ve learned how to express my feelings and ideas—and most importantly how to be a leader.”
She will now go on to compete in the Washington State Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year competition on March 25, in the hopes of advancing to the regional event and then the national competition.
“As I go further in the competition,” added Mariana, “I hope to have a voice for kids from similar upbringings as me and show them that it is possible to be successful regardless of what kinds of obstacles life throws at you.”
Espino has been a member of the Club for 10 years and is a proud Counselor in Training (CIT) at the Club, involved with the SMART Girls program and is Vice President of the Keystone Club.
“The Boys & Girls Club has helped me become responsible, hard-working and respectful to others. I’ve learned how to express my feelings and ideas—and most importantly how to be a leader.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County identify itself as a place to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. There are 12 Clubs, two Teen Centers and 27 child care and early learning sites. The Boys & Girls Club organization is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, serving more than 17,000 members annually
For more information about the King County Boys & Girls Club, check out their website.
