MANCHESTER, NH — Arielys Liriano, a junior at West High School and a member of the Manchester Boys & Girls Club has been selected as the New Hampshire Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year.
New Hampshire Legislators, Club Board and Staff Members from New Hampshire Boys & Girls Clubs across the state gathered Thursday night to honor six extraordinary young individuals competing for the title of New Hampshire Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year. After interviews and speeches, the five judges chose Liriano.
Each year, one youth from each Boys & Girls Club around the state is nominated based on the results of an extensive essay competition and interview process within their own communities to enter into the running to become the State Youth of the Year winner. These individuals have exhibited outstanding leadership skills and moral values and are dedicated to their families, communities and Clubs while meeting the highest academic standards and overcoming enormous personal obstacles.
Arielys’ inspiring story began when she left the Dominican Republic with her father at a very young age, leaving her mother behind. Her father mistook the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester as a school and tried to enroll her. Little did they know the impact the Club would have on their lives.
Arielys quickly adapted to her new country, learning a new language and culture. The unconditional support and programming provided by the Boys & Girls Club helped Arielys thrive in both her community and school, where she is an active participant and outstanding student. In addition to preparing for Thursday’s competition, Arielys was busy studying for her AP History exam, scheduled for today.
In addition to receiving a $5,000 scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s partnership with Disney, Toyota, University of Phoenix and the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, Arielys was also the beneficiary of a $1,000 scholarship from 99 Restaurants and a $10,000 scholarship from an anonymous in state donor. Arielys looks to advocate and bring awareness to different nonprofits that influence people in America and throughout the world.
“The Boys & Girls Club is a community oriented place that helps young people choose a path that enables them to become great leaders,” said Arielys Liriano. “The Youth of the Year award will allow me to impact the world and inspire young people to leave their marks as well. With these scholarships, I’ll be able to pursue a higher education with funding I may not have otherwise received.”
Being selected Youth of the Year is the highest achievement that a member of the Boys & Girls Club can receive. The Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year Program, for youth ages 14-18, brings hope and opportunity to extraordinary young people who have overcome enormous odds.
