NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 29, 2023) – Selected among four outstanding local teens, Vianney Godinez has been named the 2023 Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (BGCNR). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
Now in its 76th year, this program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their paths to great futures. As the New Rochelle Youth of the Year, Vianney will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the city, receive a $1,000 college scholarship from BGCNR, and advance to the New York State Youth of the Year competition.
“Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is honored to have Vianney representing our club as she has been truly a role model for our members,” said Becky Mazzanobile, BGCNR CEO. “Vinney is a leader who is bold, unafraid to always ask the tough questions, and a collaborative problem-solver. We cannot wait to see her continue to bring all her energy, heart, and passion to making our community and our world a better place.”
Vianney is a quintessential “club kid.” Her club journey began in kindergarten as a member of our Mascaro Clubhouse, and she has been a part of many BGCNR programs, including Smart Girls, Torch Club, and our new Youth Civics Council. As a member of Youth Civics Council, Vianney had the opportunity to advocate for youth issues on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where she also toured the White House and met First Daughter Ashley Biden. In addition to her time at BGCNR, she serves as the junior class president at New Rochelle High School.
If Vianney wins the New York State competition this summer, she will join other state Youths of the Year to vie for the Northeast regional title and an additional $20,000 college scholarship. The five regional finalists and the Military Youth of the Year will advance to the national Youth of the Year event in October, and compete for the title of Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) National Youth of the Year, an additional scholarship of $50,000, and a brand-new Toyota Corolla.
About Youth of the Year
Founded in 1947 as BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and local Boys & Girls Club. Youth of the Year representatives are the workforce leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
The program is supported by Toyota and Mondelēz-International. As the signature sponsor of Youth of the Year, Toyota is committed to partnering with BGCA to ensure local clubs provide life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to explore, develop, and apply the essential skills they need to be successful in life and work. As the lead sponsor of Youth of the Year, Mondelēz International engages with local clubs year-round to help foster a new generation of leaders prepared to live in and lead a diverse global economy. For more information, visit youthoftheyear.org.
About Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle
Founded in 1929, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (bgcnr.org) has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming focused on the whole child – encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership, and civics.
Today, we serve over 7,000 youth annually at 15 school sites and two clubhouse locations, offering them a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring professionals, life- enhancing programs and character development experiences, and hope and opportunity.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs daily during critical non-school hours. BGCA’s programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,700 clubs serve over 4.3 million young people through club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.