Patrick: 2023 Youth of the Year
BGCO is honored to introduce Patrick, our Youth of the Year for 2023. Having enrolled as a second grader, he has stayed the course and is now a 10-year student-member actively engaged and participating in youth development programs at our Leonard J. Meltzer Branch in West Oakland. Patrick is a senior at McClymonds High School where he carries a 3.1 GPA; is on the honor roll; will graduate this coming May, 2023; and plans to matriculate to Oregon State University.
Personifying Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission, Patrick represented his Club and community at the Northern California level of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition. While striving to become Youth of the Year, Patrick shared the following: “As I get closer to graduating, I know it’s important to acknowledge the adversity and experiences that have molded me in order to be even better next year as I start college.” “It’s taken me a long time to learn how to be committed to one thing at a time, stay focused, and stay on the path to fulfilling my goals.”
““I was growing up at the Club every day after school; that gave me the confidence to strive to improve and make better decisions at school and among my friend group.” “I was allowed to make mistakes, learn and grow from them.” ”
The highest honor that a Boys & Girls Club bestows on a student-member is the Youth of the Year designation which recognizes recipients for their exemplary contributions (to family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club); and for their academic excellence. Patrick, mirroring BGCO’s mission, will no doubt continue as a positive contributor to society. To that end, by earning Youth of the Year honors for his Club organization, he also earned a scholarship—$5,000 per year for 4 years to help defray the expenses of his journey’s next chapter—making his college dream a reality.