2022 Youth of the Year

And the Winner is…

We would like to congratulate our Oakhurst member, Kalé Simmons for earning the title of 2022 Youth of the Year. Every year teens, youth development professionals, parents, and community members eagerly wait for Fresno County’s ultimate teen recognition program—and this year was no different. Due to concern for the spread of COVID, this signature event was held virtually on February 10th, but the process of becoming Youth of the Year started long before the New Year for Kalé.

Kalé joined the Oakhurst Boys & Girls Club in 2016. According to Kalé, he was a different person before becoming a member. He was shy, unwilling to try new things, and didn’t see greatness in himself. Through the power of the Club, Kalé has learned how to trust himself and how to serve others. He is heavily involved in many programs at the Club including Torch Club, Keystone, Career Launch, and of course, Youth of the Year.

“My experience at the Boys & Girls Club has been one of growth,” said Kalé, “It has truly changed my life and I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have been given.”

Kalé submitted an application, resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation just to get the process started. After applying, Kalé worked with his Unit Director to write three separate essays that would be scored by the Youth of the Year judges. He also practiced his public speaking, pre-recorded his speech for the event with Stellar Lense Productions, attended an event rehearsal and met all requirements necessary to compete.

The Process

Since 1947, the Youth of the Year Program has been the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens.

Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County has had teens compete for this title for 16 years. To achieve this title, Club members ages 14-18 must be a member for a minimum of two years, and must embody the values of good character and citizenship; academic excellence; healthy lifestyles; and leadership. They should exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.

The first place winner is awarded a $3,000 college scholarship from the Me-N-Ed’s Founders Scholarship Program. Me-N-Ed’s also provides a $500 Visa Gift Card and pizza for a year as well as other swag items! Additionally, the Briscoe Family Foundation provided a $350 scholarship and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County gifted a blue sash, certificate, and plaque.

Once awarded this title, the winner will have the honor of competing for the Northern California Youth of the Year title.  If they win, they will be invited to compete at the State level and then move onto the Regional level.  The National Boys & Girls Clubs of America winner goes to the White House and meets the President, wins a car, and receives a full college scholarship.

Our 2022 Judges were Robbie Robinson, Chevron, Dr. Marcia Sablan, Family Physician, Clayton Medina, Cook Land Company, Feleena Sutton, Aera Energy, and Alysia Bonner, SEIU Local 521. Judging our Youth of the Year candidates is no easy task. Judges interview all six candidates, watch all speeches and score their application packet.

“What a wonderful program! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to evaluate these very talented, young, future leaders and to get a glimpse of the positive impact that the Boys & Girls Club has had on their lives. It was very difficult to rate them because they were all spectacular and gave so much of themselves,” said Robbie Robinson, 2022 Youth of the Year Judge.

Alas, a winner was chosen. “Thank you to the Club for giving us this opportunity and thank you to all the competitors-- they did so good. It was amazing to hear everyone’s stories. We all deserve this,” said Kalé, moments after hearing the news of his victory.

Uriel Andrade from the Reedley Club placed second and Soledad Iribe-Flores from the East Fresno Club placed third. Each finalist received awards from Me-N-Ed’s, The Briscoe Family Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

“I’d like to thank our community for supporting us and the Boys & Girls Club staff for being there for me every day,” said second place winner, Uriel.

The Event

Many sat in the comfort of their own home on February 10th and heard stories from all of our six candidates-- Uriel Andrade, Nary Chheun, Soledad Iribe-Flores, Kalé Simmons, Esteban Aparcio, and Stacey Heras. The show was hosted by Sandra Dee Chaney, Director of Community Relations & Special Events. Boys & Girls Clubs speakers included Michael Goldfarb, Board Chair and Diane Carbray, President. Viewers also heard the testimonies of local community partners such as Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval, with CSU Fresno, Tom Ferdinandi with Me-N-Ed’s Pizzeria, and Steve Miller with Fresno First Bank. Alumni who spoke of the Boys & Girls Club impact during the show included; Erica Gonzales, 2020 Youth of the Year, Nancy Reyes, 2012 Youth of the Year, Cedric Ayers, current staff member, Omar Barraza, Fresno Police Department Detective and former Zimmerman Youth of the Year.

“Mentoring at the Boys & Girls Club creates and empowers a new generation of inspired and motivated young people,” said Dr. Saul Jiménez-Sandoval, President of CSU Fresno.

The Take Away

The Youth of the Year program is our signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to thrive and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. Although Great Futures for young people in Fresno County is what we strive for at the Boys & Girls Clubs, it’s moments like this that we hold on to for inspiration. Hearing extraordinary teens share how they are overcoming difficulties like mental illness and loss of loved ones is inspiring for everyone. Mentors in the Clubs see lives changed all the time and feel proud to see them revealed for everyone to see during events like this. Donors in our community should also have a sense of pride when watching Youth of the Year because it’s their contributions to the Club that create safe places for youth to go, support staff members enabling them to create a place to belong, and make it possible for the Boys & Girls Club to keep moving forward during tough times.

The 16th annual Youth of the Year was a success because of the power of the Club and the investment from mentors and donors who have changed the lives of teens once again. We celebrate the building of Great Futures and look forward to what these teens will do next.