Nashua member, Rocio Camacho, named 2008 New Hampshire State Youth of the Year!

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Judges for the April 2, 2008 event include William W. Fenniman, Jr., director of the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, NH Department of Health and Human Services; Nury S. Marquez, corporate community relations manager, PSNH; Sharron McCarthy, president of McLean Communications; Michael Rosenblum, executive vice president, New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association; Kay Ryan, human resources consultant, Comcast; Mark Vattes, director of government affairs, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield; Garin Veris, co-director of athletic funding, University of New Hampshire.

 “The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been a proud sponsor of the “Youth of the Year” program since 1947,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation.  “For over 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens, like Rocio Camacho, for their dedication to their families, Club, community, and their academic and career goals.”

Rocio has faced many challenges in life.  Her single mother moved the family from New York to New England to escape domestic violence.  An older brother has been in trouble with the law and she worries about her younger siblings as they face the challenges of increasing gang violence and dropout rates.

Rocio enjoys active membership in every aspect of the Club’s programs and events.  From public speaking at the Club’s Annual Auction to serving as vice president of the  Keystone Club, a teen leadership group dedicated to community service, she has proven herself  an exemplary member of the Nashua Club.  Rocio is also involved in SMARTMoves, a drug and alcohol prevention program, as a peer leader and, Los Amigo, educating young people about the importance of ethnic tolerance and community diversity.

With over 150 hours of community service to her credit, Rocio is a selfless person who readily gives up her free time to help her community.  She has completed numerous community service projects in the city and has participated in the National Youth Service Day, where she helped paint an area elementary school playground.  Back to School Day, hosted by the City of Nashua and the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, is one of Rocio’s favorite events. She helps with set-up for vendors as well as pass out free school supplies and snacks to more than 1,500 area youth.

Education is very important to Rocio. She is a junior at Nashua High School North and plans to attend Brigham Young University with a major in the health field.   She would be the first person in her family to attend college and is a role model for her younger siblings.  One of her career goals is to help people who have mental disorders. 

“Rocio and all “Youth of the Year” nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people,” said Roxanne Spillett, president, BGCA.  “We are most appreciative to the Reader’s Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our “Youth of the Year” program and for helping Club members attain their goals.”

This summer, Rocio will compete for a $10,000 scholarship against other youth in the BGCA’s Northeast Region.  If named regional winner, she will advance to the national competition in Washington DC.  The national “Youth of the Year” receives an additional $15,000 scholarship and will be installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

     The Nashua Club, (www.bgcn.com), serves over 4,200 registered members and reached more than 15,000 young people last year, through programs and activities at the Club’s facility at 47 Grand Avenue and five school-based sites. Last year, the NH Clubs served over 19,000 members statewide and reached more than 45,000 through programs and activities run by seven Clubs at 28 program and 16 school-based sites, impacting 74 communities in our state.   

     The Nashua Club is proud to be part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org), a national network of over 4,000 community and neighborhood-based facilities, annually serving some 4.8 million young people in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide.  Known as “The Positive Place for Kids”, Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6 to 18 years old, conducted by a full-time, professional staff.  Programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach.