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Boys & Girls Clubs to announce 2021 Youth of the Year at its annual Steak & Burger celebration on February 5th Contact Name: Sara Bealor Contact Email: sbealor@bgcsdc.org Contact Phone Number: 941-366-3911 Seven local high school students are finalists for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ 2021 Youth of the Year title. This prestigious honor will be presented to the selected candidate at the organization’s annual Steak & Burger celebration on Friday, February 5. Presented by the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, this year’s event will be a safe, outdoor, drive-in experience hosted by Club Blue, a group of dynamic local professionals who have come together to advance the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties through volunteerism, advocacy and mentorship. Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been the premier recognition program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America that fosters a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. The program celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Club members across the nation. The following teens have exemplified the Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission and are proof to the impact the Clubs make in transforming lives: • Stephanie B. is a 15-year-old sophomore at Venice High School and attends the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club in Venice; • Cobie B., 16, is a sophomore at Booker High School and attends the Newtown Estates Park Boys & Girls Club in Sarasota; • Jakobi D. is an 18-year-old senior at Riverview High School and attends the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club in Sarasota; • Jorge H., 17, is a senior at Riverview High School and attends the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club in Sarasota; • Isaiah L., 16, is a junior at Community Christian School and attends the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club in North Port; • Nydaja M. is a 17-year-old senior at DeSoto High School and attends the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia; and • Magdalena M. is a 15-year-old freshman at Manatee High School and attends the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Sarasota. The 2021 Youth of the Year will have a chance of becoming the 2021 State of Florida Youth of the Year and opportunities to win academic scholarships, speak at national conferences and meet elected officials. Since 2012, the organization has had five State of Florida Youth of the Years, two Southeast Region Youth of the Years and one National Youth of the Year. This western-themed, drive-in celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, located at 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Eventgoers will enjoy private homesteads that adhere to social-distancing protocols, and dinner safely delivered to their vehicles. The program will be followed by a family-friendly western film. Guests are encouraged to dress in casual western attire, wear masks, bring lawn chairs and arrive between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at bgcsdc.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Space is extremely limited. Proceeds from the event will give Boys & Girls Club members greater opportunities to excel in school, become leaders, live healthy lifestyles and plan for success after high school graduation. Sponsorship support will ensure our Clubs continue to provide the best services possible for local youth to achieve their full potential. Sponsors include Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Intertape Polymer Group, Marilyn Naiditch, Caldwell Trust Company, CoolToday, Bucket Fillers, Inc., Alexandra Armstrong & Jerry McCoy, Captivation Agency, Palm Printing, Gold Coast Eagle, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Gecko’s Hospitality. For more information, visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.