BGCA Youth of the Year (Photo credit: Vince Bucci)
You would be hard-pressed to find a more inspirational evening than the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Pacific Youth of the Year Gala, held July 12 at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom.
Hosted by club alumnus and actor Anthony Anderson, the ceremonies got off to a rousing start with the performance from members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley.
Then, the candidates for youth of the year were introduced. Hailing from states including Hawaii, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, Arizona, Alaska and Washington, they all spoke movingly of their experiences overcoming challenging childhoods and young adulthoods with the help of the Boys & Girls Clubs, which assist more than 4 million youth nationwide in developing leadership skills to prepare them for successful futures.
Anderson, who stars in ABC’s “black-ish” and was a member of the Watts-Willowbrook Club, is a prime example.
Anthony Anderson and Jeniya McCullar (Photo credit: Vince Bucci)
“I learned a lot of things there that I use to this day– and attribute them to my success,” he said. “I used to sit and dream of where I am today. You have to think how your dreams can come true and work hard and create opportunities for yourself. When opportunities do present themselves you have to be ready. I learned that as a club kid–to always be ready.”
Earlier that day, he was Emmy-nominated as lead actor in a comedy series for the fourth year in a row.
Last year’s youth of the year winner Cassidy Littleton spoke about how she represented kids who were homeless and in foster care. “But that doesn’t define my future,” she said, adding that the honor was the best thing that’s ever happened to her.
The other candidates spoke about their career goals, which include everything from becoming a renowned architect to being a political commentator.
The winner of the $40,000 college scholarship was Jeniya McCullar from Salt Lake City.
The gala also featured a performance by another “club kid,” Aliyah Moulden, who was a finalist on season 12 of NBC’s “The Voice.” The event was sponsored by Disney and Toyota and chaired by Andrew Tennenbaum and Dean Spanos.
