“Our Annual Awards Ceremony is an important and fun event for our kids. Recognizing our members in a public way helps build their self-esteem and motivates other children to a higher level of performance and excellence,” says Carolyn Brown, Executive Director.

Of particular importance at the ceremony is the Youth of the Year award. Every year, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara participates in a premier youth recognition program for Club members ages 14-18. This program promotes and celebrates Club members’ services to Club, community and family; academic performance; spiritual values; life goals and poise and public speaking ability.

This year’s Youth of the Year goes to Matt Wagonhurst, a senior at Santa Barbara High School, founder of Santa Barbara Sports Drive, a drive to get athletic equipment to kids that have a need for sports equipment. The Sports Drive serves more than 300 hundred kids at the Boys and Girls Club of S.B. Matt saw a need in the community and stepped forward in an effort to fill that need.

The following is a list of all award recipients:

Volunteer of the Year, Rebecca Russell

Board Member of the Year, Anthony Gomez

Bull Dog Award, David Edelman

Donny Yee Hot Rod Award, Tim (I Gotta Guy) Gallagher

Coach of the Year, Richard DeSales

Youth of the Year-Programs, Maria Vallecillo

Youth of the Year-Athletics, Noah Burke

Youth Volunteer of the Year, Diego Tapia

Staff of the Year, Vickie Prezelin

Outstanding Business Partner, Decker’s Outdoor

Volunteers that received United States Presidential Awards for volunteer service:

Anthony Jimenez Coach 150 hours

Kenny Mendoza Coach 150 hours

Richard Desales Coach 150 hours

Jaime Desales Coach 150 hours

Michael McLaughlin Coach/Misc 300 hours

Moki Nacario Coach 150 hours

Tracy Beard Events 137 hours

David Beard Events 137 hours

Noah Burke Teen Volunteer 200 hours

Antonio Bautista Teen Volunteer 200 hours

Rebecca Russell Art Room 125 hours

Darice Lee Art Room 160 hours

Jennifer Garcia Youth Volunteer 280 hours

Matt Wagonhurst Youth/Sports Drive 300 hours plus

The Club’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Club’s programs include career & leadership development, fine arts, sports, recreation & fitness, education & career development, and health & life skills.

For further information, please visit ww.boysgirls.org or contact Vickie Prezelin, Executive Assistant at 805-962-2382 or by email at Vickie@boysgirls.org.

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