6 Souhegan Valley Teens Up For Youth Of The Year March 27

MILFORD, NH — The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley in Milford will celebrate young people's accomplishments at its Youth of the Year and Community Award event on March 27.

The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts in Milford. Doors open at 5 p.m.

The Youth of the Year Award is the most prestigious award given by the organization to a teen who “displays outstanding character and leadership skills, excels academically, and gives back to their community.” Six finalists, from left to right in the attached photo, are Collin, Paradise, Josiah, Annabelle, Sawyer, and Olivia. The winner will compete at the state and possibly regional and national levels.

“I encourage community members to come to this event and share in our sense of hope and optimism for the future by hearing the incredible stories of our Youth of the Year candidates and help us celebrate the individuals and businesses in our community dedicated to helping youth reach their full potential,” Nicole Forsyth, Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s Executive Director, said.

Last year’s winner, Olivia Rolanti, a freshman at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia studying art therapy, community development, and African American studies, said, “I believe community is what makes the world go round,” while sharing a quote from one of her favorite poets, Angela Davis, “It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism ... Be the hope.”

The event, in its ninth year, also recognizes the businesses, individuals, and organizations that make a lasting impact on the club and the greater Souhegan Valley through community awards, the org said, including Business of the Year, Board Member of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Champion Award, Lew Dokmo Champion of Youth Award, President’s Award, BGCSV Professional of the Year, and BGCSV Youth Development Professional of the Year.

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley is a nonprofit organization that strives to enable young people to be great today and reach their full potential tomorrow. It serves the communities of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Mason, Milford, Mont Vernon, and Wilton.

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