‘Youth of the Year’ winner

Yecenia Vargas is the Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year for 2012. A junior at Sonoma Valley High School, Vargas has been a volunteer at the club for almost two years.

Like many of teen members, she attended the club as a young child, took a break during middle school, and decided to come back to volunteer and attend the Teen program. Vargas volunteered in the club’s Discovery Room. She is planning on graduating a semester early from high school and pursuing a career in law.

Raquel Paz, Pio Valenzuela and Eric Gonzalez were the other finalists for the honor, which was announced Dec. 6. The annual award program recognizes teens who have developed sound character, leadership abilities and the willingness to give back to their community. It also promotes and celebrates academic performance, moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.

Each candidate will receive a $500 scholarship and the winner will receive a new laptop. Vargas will also go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America state competition.