Boys & Girls Clubs name 'Youth of the Year'
Award recognizes academic performance, moral character goals, poise and more

FINE YOUNG MAN- Virgilio Garcia, second from left, is named 2006 Youth of the Year by representatives of the Boys & Girls Club of Conejo and Las Virgenes. From left, Karen Anthony, director of programs and operations; Michael Schneider, board vice chairman; and Fred Aguiar, Los Cerritos Club branch director.

Virgilio Garcia, a seventh-grade student at Los Cerritos Middle School in Thousand Oaks, was honored as 2006 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo and Las Virgenes during a March 9 dinner and awards ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills.

The law firm Weston Benshoof Rochefort Rubalcava MacCuish sponsored the event.

Throughout the year Boys & Girls Clubs select members as Youths of the Month. The Youth of the Year is chosen by a panel of judges using Boys & Girls Clubs of America national criteria.

The award recognizes academic performance, moral character, life goals, poise and speaking ability, and service to the family and community.

At the Los Cerritos club Virgilio is vice president of the Torch Club, a leadership and community service vehicle. In addition to running the Snack Shack, he is also a member of Smart Guys, a group that explores issues pertaining to a boy's passage to adulthood; Smart Moves, a program which teaches drug and alcohol prevention and helps kids to make intelligent life decisions; and Diversity Club, which promotes cooperation between different racial groups. He also is a member of the Money Matters group and is a DJintraining during "Jammin' Fridays" at the club.

Virgilio also was named 2006 Volunteer of the Year by the city of Thousand Oaks Youth Commission for his service to the community.

In addition to a ceremonial plaque Virgilio received an MP3 mixer, an iTunes gift certificate and a gift basket from Huntington Learning Center.

The Los Cerritos Club, which is adjacent to the Los Cerritos Middle School campus, has been serving children for more than three years.

Clubs are open before and after school and all day during school vacations and the summer. Young people are provided a wide range of experiences, including educational and academic enrichment, health and fitness, athletics, art and music, community service and computer training. Programs encourage smart choices, guide and develop leadership skills, and help to build attributes of strong character and good citizenship in every member.

March 25 through 31 is National Boys & Girls Club Week.

To volunteer or to make a donation, call (818)880-8577 or visit www.bgcconejo.org.