Rocio Camacho recognized as 2008 Youth of the Year 

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Creating packets of information, writing essays on what the Club means to them and why a post-secondary education is important, rounds of interviews, discussions with staff - all of these have faced 10 of our teen members over the past few weeks.

Club members were selected each month over the past year, and then invited to compete in the Club's annual Youth of the Year competition. Each member was asked to create a packet containing the following information - home and family, moral character, school participation, service to community, service to Club and life goals. They were also asked to write 2 essays, collect recommendation letters, and share their high school transcripts. Staff members were asked to rate each member on their commitment, involvement, and dedication to the Club, their community, their schools and their families.

All 10 members were then interviewed on February 13, 2008 by 5 community judges who selected the 3 finalists for the Youth of the Year title. Members who participated included Aisha West, Danelis Alejo, Terrace Hart, Justin Bourque, Courtney Roche, Paul MacDonald, Rocio Camacho, Tyler Greathead, Bryan deLeon, and Giomar Colon. After tallying staff and first round interviews, 3 finalists were chosen - Danelis Alejo, Justin Bourque and Rocio Camacho (shown in picture above).

On February 21, 2008, these 3 finalists met with another panel of judges to be interviewed for the title of Youth of the Year.

Thank you to Rick Manganello, Marc Plamondon, Marc & Julie LeDoux, David Gagnon, T.C. Liakos, Andy Dillman, Carolyn Choate, J. Conrad Coffey, Joe Gaukstern, and Todd Sullivan, the judges who had the difficult decision of selecting the final 3, and then, ultimately, our Youth of the Year.

On March 4, 2008, the Boys & Girls Club hosted an event recognizing all of these outstanding youth leaders and also naming our 2008 Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua Youth of the Year, Rocio Camacho.

About our Youth of the Year, Rocio Camacho

Rocio Camacho is one of the most influential youth leaders at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua. As an active member of the Club for the past 5 years, Rocio has participated in a number of programs that have contributed positively to the greater Nashua community as well as her own Club. As Vice President of the Keystone Club, she has worked alongside many other youth to improve the world around them, including completing over 200 volunteers hours in the past year doing beautification projects around the city, improving the safety and cleanliness of local parks and playgrounds, volunteering to run activities at the City of Nashua events, including the Fairy Tale Festival, Children’s Day and other special events. Most recently, she has participated in many aspects of the Club’s renovation project, helping to survey teens and adults in the community about teens issues, collecting data, participating in focus groups, as well as making a presentation to the Board of Alderman to gain community support for the Club project. Rocio’s dedication to the community can also be seen by the work that she completes with her church and school. Projects that Rocio has undertaken include raking leaves and completing yard work for the elderly, helping to collect food for needy families, and making quilts for the Nashua Soup Kitchen. At her school, Rocio participates in many honors courses, including Honors Health Occupations. This class will help her attain her Licensed Nursing Assistant license, as well as solidify her plans to pursue a career in the medical field. She is also involved in many extracurricular programs at her school, including the Titans With Attitude step team, the Black Student Alliance, the Latino Convention, the Southern New Hampshire College Partnership, and the SPIRIT program. Participation in these programs have allowed Rocio to become a leader within her school, where many students look up to her for guidance and direction. Rocio’s leadership skills are seen within all aspects of her life. As a member of the Club’s Junior Staff program, Rocio is able to show other Club members what it means to be a responsible, caring citizen, by giving back. She helps to represent our Club in positive ways, including helping younger members with homework, teaching them step routines, and assisting them in making good choices. Rocio is dependable, trustworthy, and an extremely hard worker. She is a phenomenal youth leader who has made a tremendous impact on her Club and her community. 

Quote from Rocio Camacho

“At the Boys & Girls Club, I am able to participate in a variety of activities that I wouldn’t be able to do anywhere else. Working as a Junior Staff member, participating in community service projects that impact Nashua, and acting as a role model for other youth have taught me the importance of making a difference. With these experiences and help from the staff at the Club, I have learned to become more independent. I know that people care about me and expect me to succeed.”

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club members and the Youth of the Year program, please contact Tracey Jackson, Individual Services Director, at 603-883-0523 or tjackson@bgcn.com.

Posted February 26, 2008.  Updated March 7, 2008.