Youth of the Year is a leadership recognition program designed by Boys & Girls Club of America to highlight outstanding teen club members who embody healthy lifestyles, academic excellence, and good character/citizenship. It is described as the highest honor a teen club member can achieve.
Alejandro Martinez-Vargas has been named the 2023 Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year. Alejandro is a 17-year-old senior at Reading High School and has been a member of Olivet Boys & Girls Club Center for the Arts since 2018. At the Center for the Arts (CFA), Alejandro is a member of Guitar Club where he studies with musicians Josh Taylor and Jeff Roeckle. Alejandro is an extremely gifted guitar player, performing at the CFA, Olivet’s Leaders & Legends Dinner and Golf Tournament, Summer Bandshell Concerts, and Open Mike Nights at Chatty Monks. Currently, Alejandro is recording many of his cover songs with Cliff Starkey at Olivet’s Gravity Studios. After graduating high school, Alejandro plans to attend Reading Area Community College.
On April 20th, Alejandro will go on to compete in the Pennsylvania Youth of the Year competition, where he will compete with outstanding teens from other local boys & girls clubs from across the Commonwealth.
“The selection of Alejandro as our 2023 Olivet Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year is the perfect manuscript of his story as an Olivet youth. This amazingly talented young man combined with the impactful experience of being an Olivet member demonstrates his resilience, his determination, and grit to rise to the challenges life has given him. However, Alejandro’s story also tells the tale of how he has found himself inside the walls of Olivet and the life changing experience Olivet has had on Alejandro. His Olivet Family wish him much success in the State competition and know he will represent us well,” said Christopher Winters, President and CEO of Olivet Boys & Girls Club.
“On behalf of the Olivet Board of Directors, I am incredibly proud of Alejandro’s outstanding achievement as Olivet’s Youth of the Year. His personal story in addition to his contributions to the club and community are a shining example of the impact of the club experience. I wish Alejandro the best of luck in the next stage of the competition,” said Rachel Kuhn, Board Chairwoman of Olivet Boys & Girls Club.
“By serving as a mentor for Alejandro during his Youth of the Year application process, I had the privilege to get to know this amazing young man who exemplifies good character and leadership skills. Alejandro’s musical talent, energetic personality, and love for the Olivet mission will ensure he can achieve a bright future,” said Tonya Butler, Magisterial District Judge and Youth of the Year Mentor for Olivet Boys & Girls Club.
The Olivet Clubs provide a safe environment for youth ages 6-18 by providing programs that encourage character development, education, life skills, healthy living and exposure to arts and culture. These programs, along with guidance from our staff, allow kids to find their way out of poverty to become productive, outstanding members of society.
The Olivet Boys & Girls Club has a strong reputation for providing life-changing experiences to its members, including mentoring experiences with diverse, trained and caring staff and volunteers who want to make a difference in the life of a child.
A chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Olivet Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 3,000 members a year at 7 sites located in Reading and Berks County. The Club was founded in 1898. Its mission is “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as healthy, caring, productive, responsible citizens.”
For more information about Olivet Boys & Girls Club visit www.olivetbgc.org
