Boys & Girls Club members from the Red Mountain and Lehi branches are two of the seven 2020-21 finalists for the Youth of the Year award, presented through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Club member Kennise McGertt will be representing the Red Mountain Branch and Zaria Gonzalez will be representing the Lehi Branch. 

The two competed for the title of Youth of the Year on February 20 via livestream. The Youth of the Year is a Boys & Girls Club Teen Leadership Development and Recognition Program; it is one of the highest honors a member can receive. The Youth of the Year will serve as an ambassador for their Club and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale. They will focus on four pillars of leadership, community service, academic excellence and dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Candidates are selected not only based on being amazing Club members, but who excel outside of the Club leading in their communities. 

McGertt has been a club member for the last four years. A junior in high school, she said she has learned how to become a good leader through the club. She is grateful to the club and the staff for pushing her beyond what she thought she was capable of doing. 

Gonzalez has been a member for 11 years. Also, a junior in high school, she is grateful for the club for inspiring her to many accomplishments, including landing her first job last year. She credits the club for helping with her interviewing skills; she said she couldn’t have done a good job without the support and help of the club and staff. 

For more information about the finalists and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, visit https://bgcs.org/youthoftheyear/.