Honoring youth

Members, parents and staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County gathered together Tuesday, February 19, to honor the youth selected as the Boys and Girls of the Year for 2008 at the annual awards dinner held at the Grand Tradition.

One boy and girl were selected from each of the nine Boys & Girls Clubs locations throughout the community for their exemplary attitudes, personalities and club participation.

Selected as Boys of the Year were: Jacob Swinkowski, Bonsall West Extension; Juan Manuel Tovar, Fallbrook Street Extension; Wally Rouzer, Ingold Unit; Ben Zepeda, Live Oak Extension; Christopher Galindo, Maie Ellis Extension; William Santos, Potter Jr. High Unit; Alex Heald, Sullivan Extension; Gabriel Carrosco, Vivian Banks Extension; and Caleb Scrimpf, William H. Frazier Extension.

Selected as Girls of the Year were: Amy Sanchez, Bonsall West Extension; Brittany Solis, Fallbrook Street Extension; Jacky Castaneda, Ingold Unit; Emilee Person, Live Oak Extension; Yazmin Reyes, Maie Ellis Extension; Victoria Rojas, Potter Jr. High Unit, Lauren Ruttan, Sullivan Extension; Dania Harvey, Vivian Banks Extension; and Linda Bailon, William H. Frazer Extension.

And while all 18 children are examples of productive, responsible and caring citizens, Boys & Girls Club committee members selected eighth-grader Jacky Castaneda as the overall Youth of the Year.

Jacky attends Potter Jr. High, has been a club member for more than three years and was selected as Youth of the Year for her club service.

While at the club, Jacky helps new members adjust and serves as a program aide for the Power Hour, music, art and games room.

Jacky has also been a role model at school. She has been nominated for the Trustworthiness and Respect Award and has received the Citizenship, Perfect Attendance, Academic Performance and Role Model awards.

According to Boys & Girl Club directors, Jacky is “truly a role model to other members and a perfect example of what the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County Youth of the Year means.”

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