MANALAPAN – On Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, seven outstanding local youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will compete to be named the 2021 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. Finalists will have the opportunity to share their inspiring stories during a hybrid event, which will take place at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan with limited guests. The event will also be broadcasted live for guests who prefer to participate virtually.

“Every year, with each group of candidates, we see how these young men and women become leaders and demonstrate their dedication and ambition to represent their Clubs and communities in an outstanding way,” said Jaene Miranda, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “This will be one of the biggest nights of their lives, so we are excited to hold this event in recognition of their achievements for a limited audience and will implement all of the CDC safety guidelines to ensure the safety of all of those who attend. The crowned county winner will go on to represent our organization at the state competition.”

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of club members. Each year, one exceptional club member is selected to be the Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. This year, the organization is announcing the continuation of the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation scholarship program.

For the fourth year, seven finalists will be awarded four-year Florida Prepaid College Scholarships and the county winner will receive a four-year Florida Prepaid University Scholarship inclusive of room and board. The Youth of the Year scholarships are made possible by the support of the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation.

The 2021 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year candidates are Elisha Jenkins from Florence De George Boys & Girls Clubs of West Palm Beach, Breanna Bromfield from Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach, Artisha Jackson from Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of Rivera Beach, Jessica Angela Badeau from Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach, Garvey Antoine from Boys & Girls Club of Boca Raton, Anaijah Graham from Smith & Moore Family Teen Center of Belle Glade, and Proteon Elizabeth Shelby-Davis from Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington.

Aspirants were selected to represent their Club by a preliminary competition that included a comprehensive application, three essays, three letters of recommendation, and an interview in front of a panel of judges made up by the Club’s advisory board members. Three-minute speeches presented live at the dinner will serve as the final scoring factor. All candidates are then invited to attend the State Youth of the Year Competition in April to support the local winner who will represent Palm Beach County.

Leading the charge as event chairmen are Olympia Bishop and Wilder Regalbuto. Supporting as Honorary Chairmen are Honorable Danielle H. Moore and Honorable Lesly S. Smith.

The Youth of the Year Dinner is presented by Publix Super Markets Charities and is powered by Senior Sponsors Comcast, Office Depot, Olexa Celine, and The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. Joining them are Junior Sponsors C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, Olympia and Brooks Bishop, Carrier, Wilder and Jason Regalbuto. Sophomore Sponsors are Mary & Mark Freitas and Gehring Insurance. Freshman Sponsors include Lisa Russo, Maschmeyer Concrete, Norwest Equity Partners, Toshiba and Taylor Family Foundation.

The event’s Club and Supporting Sponsors include Raul Ocampo & Associates, JFO Group, Inc., Inlet Private Wealth, The Kress Family, Florida Power & Light, Tropical Shipping and ADT Security Services.

Underwriters are Christine and Bob Stiller, The Gardens Mall and Carla Cove.

The 16 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County provide services during non-school hours, as well as summer camp opportunities, to more than 10,000 boys and girls from ages six to 18.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Nicole Miranda, Development Manager by phone at 561-683-3287 or by email at nmiranda@bgcpbc.org or visit www.bgcpbc.org.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.