By Staff Reports, Ventura County Star
March 1, 2006

A Hueneme High School senior has been selected youth of the year for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

Mariella Jaime, 17, is a true example of an extraordinary youth, club officials said. She is at the top of her class academically, is involved with many campus clubs and organizations such as UC ambassadors, Spanish Club, Physics Club, Hispanic Heritage Club, and is the president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

She has participated in Boys & Girls Club teen programs and club service. Mariella has done volunteer work for the Rescue Mission and Toys for Tots and holds a part-time job at Sears Portrait Studio. She has a grade-point average of 3.95 and is ranked fourth out of 466 students at Hueneme High School.

"Mariella is on a path of great success and we are very proud of the positive and caring example that she sets for her peers and anyone that she comes in contact with," said Tim Blaylock, CEO of the club. "She is a leader in her peer group, community and in her family structure. She has many goals and I have no doubt that she will exceed all of our wildest expectations for her."

Mariella will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the youth of the year title in Ventura County and the state and a $1,000 scholarship. If she wins at the state level, she will compete for the regional title and a $10,000 scholarship.

The five regional winners will travel to Washington , D.C. , to compete for the national title. The winner will receive an additional $15,000 college scholarship and be installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.

As founding sponsor of the youth of the year program, the Reader's Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 58 teens have been selected as national youths of the year.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme , go to www.positiveplace4kids.org o r call 815-4959.