Santa Monica teenager Gretchen Galanis and five Los Angeles teens have been named finalists in the annual Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Los Angeles County (LA County Alliance) Youth of the Year competition.
Having already won $2,500 in college scholarships, the youth are now competing to represent LA County in the California competition.
Presenting sponsor Disney will join the LA County Alliance in announcing the 2013 “Co-Youth of the Year” winners at the California Science Center on March 20.
If one of the “Co-Youths of the Year” wins the California title, he or she will advance to the Pacific Region competition with the chance to compete for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year title.
The National Youth of the Year receives more than $60,000 in college scholarships and has a chance to meet the President of the United States in the Oval Office.
There are currently 27 Boys & Girls Club organizations in Los Angeles County serving over 130,000 youth annually in 130 neighborhoods.
Once a teen is selected as their Club’s Youth of the Year, they are invited to compete at the County level in addition to enjoying a one-year term as the teen spokesperson representing their Club’s youth by taking part in community events and activities.
The National Youth of the Year serves a one-year term as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson advocating for some four million youth served by some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.