Five teens vie for Boys and Girls Clubs ‘Youth of the Year’
Philip Linan was not a mistake.
His mother missed the first part of his competition speech at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio’s Mays clubhouse, but her importance in his life was evident.
One of five finalists for the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio “Youth of the Year” award, Philip spoke of how proud he was of her when others criticized his mom for having him at a young age. He thanked his mom for believing in him and being his rock.
Even through negative comments from others, she made something of her life and attended St. Mary’s University, Philip said. He plans to do the same and become a criminal lawyer.
“I wrote about wanting to attend college because I want to prove them wrong,” Philip said. “I was not a mistake. I was successful.”
The “Youth of the Year” award celebrates academic excellence, outstanding leadership and dedication to making healthy life choices. The other finalists are Emerald Alaniz, Sophia Cantu, San Juana Castro and Josephine Mortera.
The five finalists for the prestigious award are giving their last speech at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio Gala on Wednesday before judges announce the winner. An estimated 300 people will be at The Witte Museum, where judges will score applications, essays and speeches to determine the winner.
The benefit also honors club alumni and ABC’S “What Would You Do?” host John Quiñones, with the “Champion for Youth” Award. The ABC newsman grew up on the West Side and attended the Calderon clubhouse.
Ada Saenz, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, said
“We are all about ... helping kids find and use their voice for good.” Ada Saenz, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio
the winner would represent San Antonio at the state level. If they win there, they could compete nationally for a yearlong appointment as youth advocate for Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
She said the program is a rigorous, yearlong that includes writing essays, getting letters of recommendation and speaking about their struggles, future aspirations and plans to give back as adults. It all prepares finalists for the final competition.
“We are all about youth voice and helping kids find and use their voice for good,” Saenz said.
The clubs serve 7,300 members from 6 to 18 years old at six San Antonio clubhouses and 37 on-site locales in the San Antonio and Harlandale Independent School Districts.
When Philip, who attends Brackenridge High School, first came to the Boys and Girls Club, he kept to himself. A staff member helped the teen come out of his shell, teaching him to play pool as they shared an appreciation for magic tricks.
For the past two years, the teen has served as president of Keystone, a leadership program that teaches teens how to be leaders for younger members.
While giving her speech earlier in the competition, finalist Emerald eased her nerves by looking past the seven judges and 20 people in the conference room to an object she had earlier placed at the back for moral support — a life-sized cutout of Pitbull, her favorite rapper.
The cardboard image calmed the nerves of the 18-year-old senior from Thomas Jefferson High School as she spoke with pride about being a club member, her self-journey and her future.
“I want to become a psychiatrist,” Emerald said. “I like advocating about mental health and want to be able to help others in therapy.”
For the past five years, she’s been a member of the club’s Young Achievers, a college preparatory program. She attended workshops, visited colleges and took part in a mentorship program.
Emerald served two years as a member of the San Antonio Youth Commission for District 5. She helped create a citywide teen mental health survey and helped decide how to allocate $25 million to mental health and youth services.
She is certified in mental health first aid through the National Council for Mental Well Being. And she recently learned she has been accepted with a full scholarship at Texas A&M University at San Antonio.
Stephanie Delgado, senior director of programs for the Boys and Girls Club, said the finalists’ gala appearance will display their commitment and months of preparation, which included weekly meetings, workshops and extra homework.
“Everyone in that room is supporting them and wants to hear their story,” Delgado said.