A year ago I sat at a table in the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the Boys & Girls Club of America’s “2018 Pacific Youth of the Year” gala. Throughout the evening I told myself not to cry at the heartfelt stories from the young adults and halfway through tears were trickling down my face. Trying to convince those around me that I wasn’t crying but that my face was sweating despite being in an air-conditioned room was pointless. So I gave up the fight and I cried along with everyone else in attendance.

Three hundred and sixty-five days later and the “2019 Pacific Youth of the Year” gala was held once again in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. A new year brought fresh faces to the stage with different stories to be heard. Reflecting on what happened the year prior, I gave up the hope of keeping my composure and I let the evening along with each narrative take me as the night saw fit.

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To keep me from letting the waterworks run, I diverted my attention between the speakers and the food before me. The Appetizer of a harvest salad with orchard fruit, crumbled blue cheese, and candied pecans topped with a champagne dressing was a delicious way to begin the dinner, as the welcome remarks from television personality, Rocsi Diaz opened the ceremony. Being reminded of the purpose of the event and the role of the youth was a critical way to kick off the evening as it reinforced the good that it does. It explained that nine faces that will discuss their journey through life’s difficulties and how the Boys and Girls Club within their local community positively impacted their lives Even more, how they will continue to help others as they follow the path that they are actively creating. At the culmination of the speeches, one will be selected as a representative of the over 4 million Club youth as he or she address major issues that young adults face. As a representative at both regional and national events and acting as a media spokesperson, the winner will take on great responsibility that will impact many adolescents.

Once the Entrée arrived, the stories began to unfold. Filet mignon with a pan seared sea bass alongside vegetables was no match when listening to the each voice upon the stage. Eighteen year-old Monica O. from Nevada thanked the Club when she said that it “inspired me to use my voice in ways I couldn’t have imagined.” Trinity M. from Oregon expressed that “everyone should have the ability to attend an after school program so they can reach their full potential”. And just as beautifully, Chassen K. from Hawaii came out singing and letting his strong vocals introduce himself as he then told his story to all attendees.

Each person had a story and each person told it beautifully to the point that I couldn’t help but be impressed by them all.

As the evening continued, the Dessert arrived to the table. Alternating between the Chocolate Royaltine Crunch and The Beverly Hilton Ice Cream Sandwich gave us all just the right amount of sweetness to follow along with the remaining speakers. Some individuals like seventeen year-old Iyana J. addressed the ways in which the Club has offered them support, while others like Samantha P. of Alaska showed how the community she got from the Club helped her to find a safe place. It was ultimately Sabrina M., a twelve year member of the San Francisco Club that won the night. In expressing how “The Club stayed consistent while my world turned upside” or how she “wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for that Club”, she won the judges over. While each descriptive story and powerful narrative was inspiring, Sabrina took home the award and title of the “2019 Pacific Youth of the Year”. Knowing that each of the nine faces across the stage has overcome severe challenges to stand at this moment had to offer them all the validation that they have made it.

While I may have left the 2018 “Pacific Youth of the Year” gala in joyous tears with mascara creeping down my foundation, this year I walked away impressed. I left the hotel with the same excitement for the bright young adults, but I didn’t appear as messy. I was beyond grateful for another chance to listen to the powerful stories, cheer for each person, and give a standing ovation for the winner. The gala is a beautiful evening that celebrates those who have found their way out of difficult situations and highlights them for all to see. A night like this, is a hard one to forget.

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