On yesterday evening, January 27, 2014, three Menlo Park youths were finalists for the 2014 Youth of the Year for the McNeil Family Clubhouse through the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula (BGCP) located at 401 Pierce Road in Menlo Park, CA. The candidates were:
• 17 year old Stacie Foreman, an aspiring orthopedic doctor who is a junior at Menlo Atherton High School,
• 17 year old Alyssa Taylor, an aspiring veterinarian who is a junior at Mid-Peninsula High School, and
• 16 year old Josese Naivaluvou, an aspiring mechanical engineer who is a junior at Menlo Atherton High School.
A selection committee of Carole McNeil, City of Menlo Park Mayor, Ray Mueller, and Commander Dave Bertini of the Menlo Park Police Department were given the task, yet the honor of selecting the Youth of the Year.
The 3 candidates made it to the finals because they fulfilled the requirements of being a high school senior or junior on track to graduate from high school, a positive role model, active in the Club, their ability to overcome personal obstacles, showing empathy by helping others in their community, a leader and independent thinker, have plans to attend post-high school training or education, and are goal oriented.
The three candidates participated each in a 10-minute interview with the panel and gave a 3-minute speech. The judges also reviewed the finalist’s biography written by the candidate, their school transcript, an essay in response to the prompt: “What is something that is important to you and makes a difference in your life?”, a recommendation letter from a BGCP staff member, and a letter from their school.
The Youth of the Year for the BGCP moves onto to represent BGCP in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America national competition in February.
The 2014 Youth of the Year is Stacie Foreman. The City of Menlo Park would like to congratulate all three finalists on their achievements this far, and wish them much success in their educational, life and career goals! Also we send well wishes for Stacie’s success in the national competition!!!!
