Marrissa Allen to Now Vie for State Title and Scholarship
Milford, NH, March 8, 2016 – Selected
among several local outstanding youth, Marrissa Allen, the Boys & Girls
Club of Souhegan Valley’s 2016 Youth of the Year, will compete for the New
Hampshire Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys
& Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The Youth of the Year program honors our
nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and
encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the new Youth of the Year
for the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 17-year old Marrissa is a
true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by BGCA for her
leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy
lifestyle.
“Marissa is an excellent role
model for the youth we serve,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the
Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “She is dedicated to making smart and
healthy choices, and passionate about justice and equality.”
A senior at Milford High School, Marrissa has been a
member of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley since 4th grade. In
addition to participating in Club programs, she has been an active volunteer,
and now works as a youth counselor at the Club. She is a member of the National
Honor Society, We the People team, and the varsity softball team. She has been
described by her nominators as “intelligent, compassionate, and an empathetic
leader”. As the 2016 Youth of the Yea,r Marrissa
was awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the James D’Amato Scholarship Fund.
Other nominees included Jon Merchant of Milford and Callie
Cinque, Katie Osterholz, and Meghan McKnight of Amherst. Both Callie Cinque and
Meghan McKnight were awarded $500 scholarships as graduating senior youth of
the year candidates.
Other awards presented at the March 3rd event
included recognition for 10 years of service to Robin LaCroix and Robert “Mac” Mcilvaine,
and 5 years of service awards to Sean Costello and Rod Rocheleau. The Boys
& Girls Club also recognized Ciardelli Fuel for its dedication to the youth
the community as the 2016 Civic Supporter, Chuck Barker as volunteer of the year,
and Milford Middle School 8th Grader Abby Forrence was named Community Champion in
recognition of her work to improve the health of young people as the Fuel Up to
Play 60 Ambassador.
If Marrissa wins at the state
competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the
Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up
to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in
September 2016, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year.
The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of
$25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to
meet with the President of the United States in the White House.
For more information about the
Youth of the Year program, visit http://www.youthoftheyear.org.
About
the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley
For over 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan
Valley (the Club) has been in the forefront of youth development in the
Souhegan Valley community with a particular focus on providing opportunities
for young people from disadvantaged economic, social, and family circumstances.
Its mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most,
to be great today and reach their full potential as productive, caring,
responsible citizens tomorrow.
About Boys &
Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.GreatFutures.org)
has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive,
caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4
million young people annually 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. They provide a safe place, caring
adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a
daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize
academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a
Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and
http://bgca.org/twitter.
Contact:
Kevin Salemi, Boys
& Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, ksalemi@svbgc.org, 603-672-1002 x23.
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