MARSHFIELD, MA… Finn O’Gara, a senior at Marshfield High School, has been named the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s 2023 Youth of the Year.
“Youth of the Year” is the highest honor bestowed upon Boys & Girls Club members. A Youth of the Year candidate embodies the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s three priority outcome areas of Academic Success, Good Character and living a Healthy Lifestyle. The National Youth of the Year serves as a role model and spokesperson for America’s youth. They educate millions of Americans about the power of the Club Experience and elevate the national focus on key issues facing children and teens.
“We were very impressed with all of our Youth of the Year finalists and recognize their dedication, efforts and leadership,” said Jim Bunnell, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield.
This year, the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield had 10 individuals nominated for Youth of the Year. Of those 10, seven accepted their nomination and six wrote anonymous essays on how the Club has impacted them. The leadership team determined four finalists based on those essays: Matt Roosevelt, Caitlin Scully and Finn O’Gara of Marshfield and Mike O’Malley of Duxbury. The finalists were interviewed by a panel of community and board members including Jeanine Smith, Mike Vercollone, Peter Brown and John Wilpers. The panel had the difficult decision of determining the 2023 Youth of the Year. Based on many factors and with much deliberation, they unanimously selected O’Gara.
O’Gara has been working at the Boys and Girls Club since 2021 in both the After School program as After School Staff and in the Summer Camp program as Camp Counselor. He also works at the Club as an evening and weekend Front Desk Attendant for birthday and Clubhouse party option rentals.
In the fall, O’Gara will be attending Bridgewater State University and majoring in Special Education.
The National Youth of the Year is purpose-driven and aware of the challenges facing young people today. Under the direction of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) staff, O’Gara along with other Youth of the Year representatives will attend state, regional and national events. They will serve as thought leaders on key issues by telling their inspiring personal stories. Potential audiences include youth, alumni, members of the media, and political, corporate and community leaders.
“Finn is a terrific role model with outstanding leadership ability,” said Bunnell. “We’re pleased to honor Finn as the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s 2023 Youth of the Year and we wish him every success in the future.”
About Youth of the Year Program
For more than 70 years, the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens. These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for America.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.
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