Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley member and Youth of the Year Jeffrey Valladares has been named the Nevada State Youth of the Year after winning the state competition held at the Governor’s Mansion today. Valladares, who was named the Club’s local youth of the year on January 26, will now move onto the regional competition in July, where he will compete with teens from Boys & Girls Clubs all over the West coast.
“I’m still kind of in shock,” Valladares said. “I’m just really excited to get to represent my Club at a bigger scale.”
Valladares is the first teen from BGCMV to win the Nevada state competition, which he said is another honor in itself. Darci Beaton, who works at the Club and served as Valladares’ mentor, said she’s seen him grow immensely during his years at the Club.
“He’s gone from this timid, insecure boy to this confident young man,” Beaton said. “He definitely deserves this honor. We’re very proud of him.”
Youth of the Year is a national Boys & Girls Club competition where youth are judged on their character, service, Club involvement, performance in school and community involvement. Scholarships are awarded at each level of competition, up to $15,000 at the national level.