Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County Names Trenton High School West Senior as 2017 Youth of the Year

Lawrence, NJ, April 12, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Janina Calle, a senior at Trenton High School West, was named the 2017 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County. She earned a $1,500 scholarship and a chance to compete at the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey’s Youth of the Year program on June 6, 2017.

Calle was selected before a large group of Club supporters at the Club’s annual Youth of the Year Dinner on April 6, 2017 at Conant Hall on the ETS campus in Princeton. ETS has graciously sponsored this event for the eleventh year.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Three nominees participated in the 2017 Youth of the Year program, each guided by a mentor. The primary goals of the youth development program are building character and leadership skills. The mentors provide individual guidance and encouragement throughout the process.

The nominees for 2017 Youth of the Year were: Dy’Shanye Brown of Ewing High School, Isaiah Hill of Ewing High School and Janina Calle of Trenton High School West.

Felicia DeVincenzi, past chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ board of trustees and Strategic Advisor of Learning and Organizational Development at ETS, welcomed guests to the event. Gary Lawery, Associate Teen Program Coordinator introduced the nominees, who each delivered three-minute speeches about their experiences with Boys & Girls Club.

Janina reflected her experience as a member of the Boys & Girls Club and how it helped to build her confidence which gave her a voice in her community. She plans to go to college and aspires to become an Orthodontist.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County congratulates its 2017 Youth of the Year and continues to encourage and prepare other teen members to reach their full potential.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County:
The Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County has been providing children and teens with educational, career, and enrichment activities through after school, weekend, and summer programs since 1937. Today, the Club provides programs and services to 2,300 youths in the Greater Mercer County area that attend programs in our Trenton Clubhouse, six public school sites in the City of Trenton, and our Community Center in Lawrence Township. For more information, visit www.bgcmercer.org.