Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

Outstanding teens from eight Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs organizations compete for State’s highest Club member honors

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 8, 2025) – The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and presenting sponsor Fiesta Sports Foundation are proud to announce Emma F. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale as the 2025 Arizona State Youth of the Year and Sophia B. of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Youth Program as 2025 Arizona Military Youth of the Year.

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, starting at the local Club level with candidates competing until one is ultimately named the National Youth of the Year. The Arizona Youth of the Year breakfast ceremony was held at the AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown with family, Club staff, and elected officials in attendance. Both winning candidates received a $2,500 academic award and will represent Arizona at the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition this summer.

“We are so proud of Emma, Sophia, and all of our outstanding candidates,” said Cheyenne Walsh, partner of Compass Strategies Public Affairs and Board Chair for the Arizona Alliance. “These teens are dedicated students and leaders in their communities, and role models at their Clubs. They represent the very best of our more than 44,000 Club members in 77 Clubs across Arizona.”

Sydney Franks, the 2024 Arizona State Youth of the Year, emceed the event, presented by Fiesta Sports Foundation with support from Swire Coca-Cola. The breakfast program also included a keynote address by Latasha Causey, president of NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway and a former Boys & Girls Club member in her native West Phoenix. 

Kristina Chumpol, Fiesta Sports Foundation’s Chief Impact Officer and a past State Youth of the Year winner, announced the 2025 winners. 

“The missions of Fiesta Sports Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs align in our commitment to give outstanding teens in our state the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” said Chumpol. “The Arizona State Youth of the Year is an amazing program that gives these incredible young people every opportunity to share their stories of overcoming adversity and their successes in ways that shape who they will become and greatly impact the rest of us. We are proud to be a part of this program and celebrate together their accomplishments and everything they will achieve in the future.”

Emma, a senior at Desert Mountain High School, represents Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. She has been attending her Club for the last 12 years, and credits the Club with shaping her into the confident leader she always aspired to be. After graduation, she plans to move to Ireland for college with the goal of one day working for the United Nations to help people in crisis. 

Sophia is a sophomore at Tucson’s Mica Mountain High School and an active member of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Youth Program, where she has been involved for the last two years. She is a service-oriented, passionate leader and an outspoken advocate for military youth. She aspires to attend Johns Hopkins University to become a general surgeon and make a lasting impact on the medical field.

Emma and Sophia will go on to compete at the regional level this summer, with the hope of advancing to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition in their respective categories.

Each of the candidates previously competed at local levels to represent their individual Boys & Girls Club organizations before moving on to the State competition. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. Teens must write multiple essays, participate in an extensive interview process, and deliver a three-minute speech highlighting the impact of their Club experience.

Congratulations to all the Arizona State Youth of the Year candidates: 

• Sophia B., Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Youth Program, Mica Mountain High School
• Lily L., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River, River Valley High School
• Makia W., Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff, Winslow High School
• Vanessa C., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community, Betty H. Fairfax High School
• Emma F., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Desert Mountain High School
• Isaac M., Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista, Berean Academy
• Mya S., Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Tucson High Magnet School
• Amaya G., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, Desert Valley High School

Special thanks to the Arizona State Youth of the Year judges: 

• Marchelle Franklin, Fiesta Sports Foundation
• Anita Petersen, Swire Coca-Cola
• Michael Franks, Arizona Complete Health

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About the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs:

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is made up of 17 organizations from across the State, serving more than 77 Clubs and 44,000 kids and teens each year. The Alliance was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Clubs offer programs and services promoting and enhancing the development of youth by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. Follow @AZABGC for more information.

About the Fiesta Sports Foundation:

Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at the Fiesta Sports Foundation website and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.

Download a PDF of this Press Release Here.

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Outstanding teens from seven Arizona Boys & Girls Club organizations competed for the state’s highest Club member honor

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 8, 2024) – The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and presenting sponsor Fiesta Bowl Charities are proud to announce Sydney F. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale as the 2024 Arizona State Youth of the Year. Sydney is a senior at Desert Mountain High School and has been a member of the Thunderbirds branch since she was in second grade. She received a postsecondary academic award and will vie for the Pacific Region Youth of the Year title this summer. 

The breakfast ceremony was held at Chase Field’s Third Base Lounge in downtown Phoenix with family, Club staff, and many state legislators in attendance. Local legislators from the House and Senate met with the seven finalists to learn more about them and their plans for the future. 

“We are so proud of Sydney and all of our outstanding candidates,” said Cheyenne Walsh, partner of Compass Strategies Public Affairs and Board Chair for the Arizona Alliance. “These teens are dedicated students and leaders in their communities, and role models at their Clubs. They represent the very best of our more than 114,000 Club members across Arizona.” 

Hakima A., the 2023 Arizona State Youth of the Year, emceed the event, presented by Fiesta Bowl Charities with support from Swire Coca-Cola. The breakfast program also included a panel interview with four former Arizona State Youth of the Year winners. Kristina Chumpol, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Community Investment at the Fiesta Bowl, and Judy Bernas, Fiesta Bowl Board Chair, announced the 2024 Arizona State Youth of the Year winner.

“The Fiesta Bowl Organization has a shared commitment with Boys & Girls Clubs to support our talented youth and teens as they advance in their personal development to achieve their dreams,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. “The Arizona State Youth of the Year program is such a distinguished honor and we are pleased to help these young people write their own scripts. We are here to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage them to continue to flourish in the chapters ahead.” 

Sydney, the 2024 Arizona State Youth of the Year, has been an active member of her Club for ten years. Through the Club’s teen programs like Keystone and Junior Staff, Sydney has emerged as a leader, advocate, and inspiration to her peers and younger Club members. She plans to attend the University of Utah in the Fall, where she will major in criminology and psychology. 

Selected from a field of seven candidates from Boys & Girls Clubs organizations around the State, Sydney will receive $2,500 in academic awards courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She will go on to compete at the regional level with the hope of advancing to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition. 

In Sydney’s three-minute competition speech, she shared her experience navigating the pressures and stereotypes that often negatively impact teenage girls. She expressed her gratitude to the Club for giving her a safe space where she was free to be herself without judgement, supported by the mentors, role models, and lifelong friends at the Club who have helped her make healthy decisions and gain confidence throughout her journey. 

Each of the candidates previously competed at local levels to represent their individual Boys & Girls Club organizations before moving on to the State competition. Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. Teens must write multiple essays, participate in an extensive interview process, and deliver a three-minute speech highlighting the impact of their Club experience.

Congratulations to all the Arizona State Youth of the Year candidates: 

• Rebekah C., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River
• Makia W., Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff
• Reuben R., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community
• Sydney F., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
• Damilan W., Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista
• Jaydon M., Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
• Yarieliz L., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley 

Special thanks to the Arizona State Youth of the Year judges: 

• Pamela Alexander, Founder & CEO, Alexander Communications
• Sandra Avila, Director of Community Relations, Fiesta Bowl 
• Leigh Branston, General Manager, Comcast
• Bridget Condon, Director of Public Relations & Government Affairs, Swire Coca-Cola
• Mark R. Grayson, President, Simone Charitable Foundation

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About the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs:

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (www.azabgc.org) is made up of 17 organizations from across the State, serving more than 114,000 kids and teens each year. The Alliance was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Clubs offer programs and services promoting and enhancing the development of youth by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. Follow @AZABGC for more information. 

About the Fiesta Bowl Organization:

Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

PHOENIX – Governor Katie Hobbs is taking action to ensure that more children in Arizona have access to affordable, quality child care and school-age programming. First, Governor Hobbs will offer more access and flexibility to families with school-age children (ages 5-12). The Governor has instructed the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Department of Economic Security (DES) to broaden the types of afterschool, summer, and enrichment programs eligible for licensure by creating a separate child care license for “out-of-school time” programs. This will streamline the process for these programs to accept child care assistance by meeting the high quality standards in the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant.

In the coming months, DHS and DES will convene a broad group of stakeholders including providers, schools, youth development organizations, families, and others to provide their leadership and input to this process.

“Access to child care not only ensures that children are in a safe, caring environment, but it gives families the ability to work or pursue higher education or training,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence, and a diverse set of other stakeholders from across the state will collaborate on this effort together to provide more child care opportunities for families.”

This effort finally responds to out of school time programs who have elevated this issue for a number of years. It also builds on the work done during this legislative session by Rep. Matt Gress who brought stakeholders together multiple times to further discuss expanding access to child care assistance.

Second, Governor Hobbs is taking action to provide direct relief to families by issuing a one-time summer child care payment of $500 per child to cover the mandatory registration fees for children involved with the Department of Child Safety who participate in the Subsidized Child Care Program through DES. This includes children in foster care, kinship care, as well as children in families receiving in-home services who have recently participated in the child care assistance program.

“By improving access to basic needs like child care, we can strengthen the well-being of families facing the greatest barriers and prevent continued involvement with the child welfare system,” said Governor Hobbs. This opportunity will also provide relief to foster and kinship caregivers who provide support to children who are temporarily placed out of home.

Payments, which are made possible from federal COVID relief funds for child care, will start this summer. DCS caseworkers and staff will guide eligible families through the next steps in receiving payment.

In response to these actions, the below community partners have shared these quotes of support:

“Too many families and caregivers around Arizona struggle with the costs of out-of-school time and summer care for their young students. Parents need more choices for out-of-school time care, especially in rural communities. Working together, we can ensure that parents and caregivers can use their childcare assistance dollars in Boys & Girls Clubs and similar programs. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs looks forward to working with Governor Hobbs to create a license that addresses the unique operations of out-of-school time providers serving school-aged youth. We want to thank Governor Katie Hobbs and Representative Matt Gress for bringing together the childcare community to address these challenges.”
Marcia L. Mintz, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

“The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (AzCASE) is excited to work with the Governor’s Office, state agencies and other stakeholders to create a meaningful pathway that meets the unique needs of school-aged programs and provides more opportunities for families to access these critical programs.”
Courtney C. Sullivan, Executive Director, Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence

“YMCA child care programs serve 0-12 year olds across the state, and 75% of the youth we serve receive financial support to participate. We are happy to hear that the State of Arizona is modernizing child care regulations and we look forward to participating in the process. This will increase access to high quality programs for all Arizonans.”
Jenna Cooper, Government Relations. Arizona Alliance of YMCAs

“As a representative of Arizona’s school leaders, ASA looks forward to participating in the process to create an out-of-school license. This would ease the burden that many school districts and their partner organizations face in becoming licensed to provide child care after school, before school and during the summer months, while still ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children.”
Dr. Paul Tighe, Executive Director, Arizona School Administrators

“The Arizona Council of Human Service Providers is committed to ensuring quality childcare for all children and families. The work that the Governor’s office is doing to support families, by expanding access to childcare funds, is essential to support working parents who need safe and reliable childcare. By investing in childcare, Governor Hobbs is investing in the well-being of our communities and the long-term growth of our economy.”
Candy Espino, MBA, President & CEO, Arizona Council of Human Service Providers

“Arizona Early Childhood Education Association thanks the Governor’s office for creating a licensed pathway specifically for school age providers that will increase quality and provide additional access for children and families needing this important type of care in Arizona. Additionally, we applaud DCS’s commitment to Arizona families in providing additional child care funding for families. Arizona’s early care and education community is committed to ensuring access and affordable child care to our most vulnerable children.”
Barbie Prinster, Executive Director, Arizona Early Childhood Education Association

“The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) fully supports Governor Katie Hobbs’ decision to expand options for school age children and update outdated or unnecessary rules for child care facilities. We believe that this is an important step towards improving the quality of childcare in Arizona and ensuring that all children have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality early childhood education.”
Rebecca Gau and Diane Fellows, Co-Chairs Arizona Early Childhood Alliance

“The cost of child care has increased nearly 30% in recent years. Families, already struggling with the skyrocketing costs of housing and other basic needs, are facing the additional stress of finding safe, reliable, and affordable child care and early learning opportunities for their children while they are working. The Governor’s proposals will not only expand the options for families but will put resources directly into the hands of parents and caregivers allowing them to determine the best situation for their needs.”
Kelley Murphy, Interim President and CEO, Children’s Action Alliance

“The children and families whom this one-time child care funding in DCS care will impact are among Arizona’s most vulnerable. Directing funds for basic needs like access to quality early child care is not just a smart investment for today, but for Arizona’s future.”
Melinda Morrison Gulick, CEO, First Things First

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Read the Full Press Release (PDF)

Outstanding teens from seven Arizona Boys & Girls Club organizations and Military Base youth programs competed for the state’s highest Club member honor

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 3, 2023) – The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and presenting sponsor Fiesta Bowl Charities are proud to announce Hakima A. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tuscon as the 2023 Arizona State Youth of the Year. Hakima is a senior at Sunnyside High School and has been a member of the Roy Drachman Clubhouse for three years. Camilla M., a sophomore at Mica Mountain High School and a member of the Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program, was selected as the 2023 Arizona Military Youth of the Year. Both candidates received a post-secondary academic award and will vie for the Pacific regional title in their respective categories this summer.

The breakfast ceremony was held at Chase Field’s Third Base Lounge in downtown Phoenix with family, Club staff, and many state legislators in attendance. Local legislators from the House and Senate met with the seven finalists at the Arizona Capitol to learn more about them and their plans for the future. All the teens also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Katie Hobbs for nearly one hour following the announcement.  

“We are so proud of Hakima, Camilla, and all of our outstanding nominees,” said Cheyenne Walsh, partner of Compass Strategies Public Affairs and Board Chair for the Arizona Alliance. “These teens are dedicated students and leaders in their communities, and role models at their Clubs. They represent the very best of our more than 114,000 Club members across Arizona.”

Bailey M., the 2022 Arizona State Youth of the Year, emceed the event. Erik Moses, Executive Director and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl, delivered the keynote address and announced this year’s recipients.

“For over 20 years, the Fiesta Bowl organization has been honored to support the prestigious Arizona State Youth of the Year program,” said Moses. “We are proud to be a part of the life stories these young people are writing and congratulate them on what they have achieved thus far. Our hope is that this experience will serve as an inspiring platform to launch them into their next season of success.”

Hakima, the 2023 Arizona State Youth of the Year, has been an active member of her Club’s teen and art programs like HeARTWorks and art club since joining three years ago. She thanks her Club for restoring hope in her future and empowering her to uplift the voices of those around her. She plans to attend Howard University and will major in education and humanities.

Camilla, the 2023 Arizona Military Youth of the Year, joined the Club six years ago. She has participated in Club programs like Torch Club, Keystone and 4-H and credits the Club with helping her form meaningful connections with peers after moving around the country for a significant portion of her life. Additionally, Camilla maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a dedicated musician. She plans to attend New York University in the future to double-major in music and journalism.

Selected from a field of seven candidates from Boys & Girls Clubs organizations around the State, Hakima and Camilla each will receive $2,500 in academic awards courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and $5,000 from FOX Sports Super Bowl LVII through their Gamechanger Fund. They will go on to compete at the regional level in their respective categories with the hope of advancing to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition.

In Hakima’s three-minute competition speech, she shared her experience as a child of immigrants. She faced difficulties within her culture and credits the Club with helping her overcome these barriers to find her own sense of freedom. The staff members at her Club encouraged her in academics, arts, and athletics. She especially thanks her Club staff for teaching her to play basketball, ultimately helping her earn a place on her school’s varsity basketball team. 

Camilla also presented her speech to the large gathering and reflected on the challenges that come with being in a military family. After significant transitions throughout her life, Camilla found a home at her Club. Camilla acknowledged her opportunity as a member of a military family to connect with people from diverse backgrounds across the country. She now channels the difficulties she once faced forming connections into helping others with the same struggles through a club she started at her school.

Each of the candidates previously competed at local levels to represent their individual Boys & Girls Club organizations before moving on to the State competition. Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. Teens must write multiple essays, participate in an extensive interview process, and deliver a three-minute speech highlighting the impact of their Club experience.

Congratulations to the Arizona State Youth of the Year candidates:

• Ryce L., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River
• Nila A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Gila River Indian Community
• Jaylin W., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
• Isaac M., Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista
• Hakima A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
• Xitlalic P., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Arizona Military Youth of the Year candidates:

• Camilla M., Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program

Special thanks to the Arizona State Youth of the Year judges:

• Kristina Chumpol, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Community Investment, Fiesta Bowl
• Mark Irvin, Managing Member, Mark Irvin Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC
• Deb Kuczora, Vice President/District Manager, Kohl’s Department Stores
• Celeste Peterson, Manager of Execution Excellence, Toyota Financial Services
• Steve Sanghi, Founder/Executive Chairman, Microchip Technology Inc.

About the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (www.azabgc.org) is made up of 17 organizations from across the State, serving more than 114,000 kids and teens each year. The Alliance was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Clubs offer programs and services promoting and enhancing the development of youth by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. Follow @AZABGC for more information.

About the Fiesta Bowl Organization

Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

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Club members participated community services activities while attending AZ OnTrack Summer Camp at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Thunderbirds Branch.  A highlight of the Civics programming this summer included writing letters to veterans and active troop members through Project Gratitude.  

“Thank you! I wanted to personally reach out and say how much we appreciate the support you have shown from Operation Gratitude. I am currently on deployment and received one of the care packages; it has truly brought some extra joy into my life being so far from home. Please keep up the good work as I know there are many more of my brothers and sisters in the service that will be just as grateful as me. Again, t_ha_n_k you very much! . . . Very Respectfully, AZ3 F, S.M. VAQ-132 11Scorpions”

Read Letter from Operation Gratitude

Outstanding teens from seven Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs and military base youth programs competed for the highest state Club member honors

PHOENIX, Ariz.  The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and presenting sponsor Fiesta Bowl Charities are proud to announce the selection of Bailey M. as the 2022 Arizona Youth of the Year.  Bailey is a senior at Agua Fria High School and is a member of Avondale’s Bob Bové Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.  Evie C., a sophomore from Catalina Foothills High School and a member of the Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program was selected as the 2022 Arizona Military Youth of the Year.

The luncheon ceremony was held at the Arizona State Capitol with friends, Club staff, and many state legislators in attendance. Local legislators from the House and Senate met with the seven finalists to learn more about them and their plans for the future.  All of the teens also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Doug Ducey for nearly one hour following the announcement.   

Bailey, a 6-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Bob Bové Branch, a Thornwood Legacy, earned the top title after winning BGCAZ Youth of the Year in January 2022. He’s graduating this year and plans to attend Estrella Mountain Community College and study computer science. 

Evie, the 2022 Arizona State Military Youth of the Year, joined the Club 3 years ago.  She credits the Club with building her confidence and she’s an active member of Keystone, Girl Scouts, and many other community programs. She plans to attend the University of Florida in the future.   

Selected from a field of 7 candidates from Boys & Girls Club organizations around the State, Bailey and Evie will receive $2,500 in scholarships and will go on to compete at the regional level in their respective categories. Regional winners move on to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition.

In Bailey’s three-minute competition speech, he shared the difficult journey he and his siblings faced as young children. Ultimately, their grandparents were granted custody of the youth, and Bailey and his brother moved to Arizona with his grandmother.  They found the Club when she was trying to find work and make ends meet. Bailey shared how the Club created a second family for him, and he’s looking forward to attending college in the Fall.

Evie also presented her speech to the large gathering.  She reflected on the challenges and inspiring opportunities that come with being in a military family.  Her family moved around to follow her father’s career and she found a home at her Club, and excelled in many community groups, including earning her Bronze and Silver Awards with Girl Scouts.  “The Boys & Girls Club has helped me come out of my shell and has made me feel more comfortable with other people. I have learned more about my community and organizations from volunteering,” said Evie. 

Cheyenne Walsh, partner of Compass Strategies Public Affairs and Board Chair for the Arizona Alliance and a member of the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley emceed the event alongside 2021 Arizona Youth of the Year Vakentae Cooks, a freshman at Prescott College. Walsh said, “Every one of these teens is a winner. These Club kids have grown into positive community volunteers, great students, and kind young adults.  They represent the very best of the 110,000 Club members around the State of Arizona.” 

Kristina Chumpol, Senior Director of Community Relations of Fiesta Bowl Charities and herself the 2006 Arizona State Youth of the Year winner, announced this year’s recipients.

“Fiesta Bowl Charities is proud to support the State Youth of the Year Program for the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. As a sponsor for the last 20 years, we know the impact this program has on these young people – it is incredible. The members are incredibly inspiring with their perseverance and accomplishments. Boys & Girls Clubs are experts in youth development and through their programmatic work and relationships, they are making a true difference in these young people’s lives.”

All of the candidates previously competed at local levels to represent their individual Boys & Girls Club organizations before moving on to the state competition. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year Program is a premier youth development recognition experience celebrating academic success, examples of leadership, and overall Club involvement. Teens must write multiple essays, participate in the interview process and deliver a three-minute speech highlighting the impact of their Club experience.

Congratulations to all of the Arizona State Youth of the Year candidates:

• Zander G., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River
• Anna V., Boys & Girls Clubs of Gila River Indian Community
• Sydney F.,  Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
• Davonte M., Boys & Girls Clubs of Sierra Vista
• Mariah A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
• Bailey M., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Arizona Military Youth of the Year candidates:

• Evie C., Davis-Monthan AFB Youth Program

Special thanks to the Arizona State Youth of the Year judges:

• Michelle Pabis, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at Honor Health
• Kaitlin Harrier, Senior Education Policy Advisor for the State of Arizona
• Alex Nash, Communications and Social Media Manager for Fiesta Bowl
• Brittany Fuentes, National Manager of Customer Care at Toyota AND
• Tom Boyle, Partner at Thalma, LLC

About the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs:

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (www.azabgc.org) is made up of 17 organizations from across the state, serving more than 114,000 kids and teens each year. The Alliance was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Clubs offer programs and services promoting and enhancing the development of youth by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence.  @AZABGC

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PHOENIX (March 1, 2022) – It’s back and it’s better than ever.  The Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs is harnessing the power of Esports with the “NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good” tournament at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11.  This is the public tournament for anyone to sign up and play for free. 

The e-sports tournament is an encore to the first-of-its-kind GamerThon hosted by BGCAZ last fall in partnership with Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR, Zelus Esports and the Arizona Lottery.

“Our NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good” is a great way for the public to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs and participate in an e-sport they enjoy from home.  We play Rocket League to celebrate NASCAR and ensure that our tournament can be enjoyed by all ages,” said Marcia Mintz, BGCAZ’s CEO.

Gamers will compete by playing in the hugely popular Rocket League, the high-powered esports version of soccer and it’s rated E for Everyone.  Player will compete for a chance to win a variety of technology prizing; no purchase or donation necessary.

Along with the public tournament, youth from Clubs all around Arizona squared off in an internal GamerThon competition designed to ignite their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning.

“STEM projects are a major area of focus in our Clubs,” Mintz said. “An Esports tournament tied to NASCAR is the ultimate STEM experience.”

Gamers can register for free at www.GamerThon.org.

WHAT: NASCAR & Phoenix Raceway GamerThon™ for Good featuring Rocket League, in partnership with Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR, Zelus Esports

WHEN: 7pm, March 11

WHERE: www.GamerThon.org

COST: FREE to play. Donations welcome, with proceeds/donations benefitting the Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs

WHO: The tournament is open to all, no age restrictions.

PRIZES: Players can win a variety of technology prizes. 

About Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs was formed in 2000 to increase the Club’s visibility in communities and to advocate for Arizona’s most vulnerable youth. Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 112,000 Arizona youth every year. Boys & Girls Clubs have proudly served Arizona youth with quality programs and services for more than 75 years. With 60+ locations around the state, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found in urban, suburban, and rural communities across Arizona, and military bases throughout the state.

www.azabgc.org

@AZABGC

About Phoenix Raceway

Home to the 2022 NASCAR Championship Weekend, Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two NASCAR race weekends each year. In 2022, the spring event weekend, March 11-13, kicks off the race season at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series. For the third consecutive season, Phoenix Raceway will host the NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 4-6. Over the three-day event, champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, weddings, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, driving schools and Segway tours. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com and download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.phoenixraceway.com/nascar-tracks-app/.

About Zelus Esports

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The Arizona Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs is honored to receive a new $1 million investment in the social and emotional health programs that we offer to students around the State.  Together, Arizona Clubs serve more than 110,000 youth in rural, urban and suburban communities; and, our members have struggled throughout the pandemic.  Thanks to early investments from Governor Doug Ducey and the State of Arizona, tens of thousands of youth were able to access summer programs to help them stay on track with their academics and access SEL (Social Emotional Learning) modules under the care of trained Youth Development Professionals in Clubs.

Governor Ducey’s $1 million investment will support a one-year program that will provide up to 5,000 kids and teens with critical life and social-emotional skills training. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will use the funding to support salaries of critical personnel, develop curricula, provide equipment such as computers and tablets, and more. We are grateful for the continued partnership and recognition of the effectiveness of these programs.

One of the key challenges facing schools and Boys & Girls Clubs around the State is transportation to Clubs.  Today, A for Arizona awarded schools and districts around the State with grants from their Arizona Transportation Modernization Grant Program, a $20 million initiative to modernize K-12 transportation options and improve access to reliable and safe transportation for students. 

Boys & Girls of Bisbee received a grant for $200,000 to purchase busses and vans to transport students; Vista College Prep was awarded $1 million to build a new collaborative and reliable transportation option with BGCAZ; and Avondale Elementary School District was awarded $150,000 to help connect their students to after school programs including Clubs. We are grateful to the team at A for Arizona for their recognition of these challenges and their investment in innovative solutions to help connect students to programs they need. 

https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2021/11/governor-ducey-invests-1-million-support-arizona-boys-girls-clubs
https://aforarizona.org/2021/11/08/a-for-arizona-announces-arizona-transportation-modernization-grant-awardees

https://aforarizona.org/newroom

Arizona Transportation Modernization Grants | Awardee Snapshots (PDF)

|  |  | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2021  |  |  | Governor Ducey Invests $1 Million To Support Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs  |  |  | Program Will Help Kids Recover From Social And Emotional Impacts Of COVID-19 Pandemic  |  |  | PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced $1 million in federal funding to support the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in its efforts to help kids recover from the social and emotional implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re working around the clock to get our kids caught up, but learning loss is just the beginning of the challenges they face,” said Governor Ducey. “Our kids also suffered socially and emotionally from being away from their classrooms, teachers and friends. Arizona’s kids missed out on a year of spending recess on a playground, participating in sports, learning how to engage with others and far too much more. Our Boys & Girls Clubs were critical in giving our kids a safe place to play and learn during the pandemic, and they will continue to be as we emerge from it. We’re dedicated to supporting Arizona’s Boys & Girls Clubs in their efforts to help our kids fully recover from a year as tough as last.”

Governor Ducey’s $1 million investment will support a one-year program that will provide up to 5,000 kids and teens with critical life and social-emotional skills training. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will use the funding to support salaries of critical personnel, develop curricula, provide equipment such as computers and tablets, and more.

In this program, the Boys & Girls Clubs will use the Positive Action curriculum, which is designed to help youth address trauma, anxiety, depression, self-harm and more. They will also use a training called SMART (Skills Mastery and Resilience Training) Moves, which helps kids build social-emotional skills of self-regulation, impulse control and stress management. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs plans to deploy the program statewide using local clubs and youth development professionals.

“Our kids have been through so much, and we should do everything in our power to get them back on track,” said Josh Stine, Director of the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “This investment will help us improve our kids’ emotional and mental wellness after all the devastation of last year. On behalf of all the Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona, I want to thank Governor Ducey for helping us in our mission to give Arizona’s kids a better future.”

A March 2021 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared the activity of kids who learned virtually during the pandemic to kids who received in-person instruction. The study found that more parents whose kids learned virtually reported that their children experienced decreases in physical activity, time spent outside, in-person and virtual time with friends, and worsened mental or emotional health.

Local journalists have written in detail about the impact the pandemic has had on Arizona kids’ social and emotional wellness. One report points to a survey which found that over a third of kids aged 13–17 need emotional support. Another outlines a heightened increase in anxiety among Arizona’s Hispanic kids.

BACKGROUND
Governor Ducey and the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs partnered early on in the pandemic to ensure kids received the support and care they needed. In March 2020, Governor Ducey and the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs announced emergency operational funding to support youth impacted by COVID-19 school closures. The partnership enabled state funding to compensate Boys & Girls Clubs to provide expanded services to Arizona families. Through this partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona extended youth development program hours to accommodate youth members and children of health care workers, public safety professionals and those from other essential industries impacted by school closures.

In May 2020, Governor Ducey allocated $500,000 to organizations like the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs that provide out-of-school child care in the state. The funding supported extended hours and enrichment programs to meet the increased demand of child care for families while students learned virtually and parents or guardians worked.

In April 2021, Governor Ducey invested $5 million to fund summer programs held by Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs. The funding covered scholarships to serve 4,000 youth per week for eight weeks, at locations all across Arizona.  |  |  | ###

Program Will Help Kids Recover From Social And Emotional Impacts Of COVID-19 Pandemic

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced $1 million in federal funding to support the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in its efforts to help kids recover from the social and emotional implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re working around the clock to get our kids caught up, but learning loss is just the beginning of the challenges they face,” said Governor Ducey. “Our kids also suffered socially and emotionally from being away from their classrooms, teachers and friends. Arizona’s kids missed out on a year of spending recess on a playground, participating in sports, learning how to engage with others and far too much more. Our Boys & Girls Clubs were critical in giving our kids a safe place to play and learn during the pandemic, and they will continue to be as we emerge from it. We’re dedicated to supporting Arizona’s Boys & Girls Clubs in their efforts to help our kids fully recover from a year as tough as last.”

Governor Ducey’s $1 million investment will support a one-year program that will provide up to 5,000 kids and teens with critical life and social-emotional skills training. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will use the funding to support salaries of critical personnel, develop curricula, provide equipment such as computers and tablets, and more.

In this program, the Boys & Girls Clubs will use the Positive Action curriculum, which is designed to help youth address trauma, anxiety, depression, self-harm and more. They will also use a training called SMART (Skills Mastery and Resilience Training) Moves, which helps kids build social-emotional skills of self-regulation, impulse control and stress management. The Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs plans to deploy the program statewide using local clubs and youth development professionals.

“Our kids have been through so much, and we should do everything in our power to get them back on track,” said Josh Stine, Director of the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “This investment will help us improve our kids’ emotional and mental wellness after all the devastation of last year. On behalf of all the Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona, I want to thank Governor Ducey for helping us in our mission to give Arizona’s kids a better future.”

A March 2021 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared the activity of kids who learned virtually during the pandemic to kids who received in-person instruction. The study found that more parents whose kids learned virtually reported that their children experienced decreases in physical activity, time spent outside, in-person and virtual time with friends, and worsened mental or emotional health.

Local journalists have written in detail about the impact the pandemic has had on Arizona kids’ social and emotional wellness. One report points to a survey which found that over a third of kids aged 13–17 need emotional support. Another outlines a heightened increase in anxiety among Arizona’s Hispanic kids. 

BACKGROUND
Governor Ducey and the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs partnered early on in the pandemic to ensure kids received the support and care they needed. In March 2020, Governor Ducey and the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs announced emergency operational funding to support youth impacted by COVID-19 school closures. The partnership enabled state funding to compensate Boys & Girls Clubs to provide expanded services to Arizona families. Through this partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona extended youth development program hours to accommodate youth members and children of health care workers, public safety professionals and those from other essential industries impacted by school closures. 

In May 2020, Governor Ducey allocated $500,000 to organizations like the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs that provide out-of-school child care in the state. The funding supported extended hours and enrichment programs to meet the increased demand of child care for families while students learned virtually and parents or guardians worked.

In April 2021, Governor Ducey invested $5 million to fund summer programs held by Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs. The funding covered scholarships to serve 4,000 youth per week for eight weeks, at locations all across Arizona.

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