Among the prizes for Raymond Gonzalez's top Youth of the Year award is free Me-N-Ed's pizza for a year. Photo contributed

The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County (BGCFC) celebrated its Youth of the Year awards on Thursday, crowning the first, second and third place winners in the annual competition — the first held in person since 2020.

This year’s winner, Raymond Gonzalez, represented the Harris Farms Club based in Huron, representing the rural district’s ability to succeed in what culminates in a national competition, eventually crowning a national Youth of the Year award recipient.

Along with the nomination to the national competition, Gonzalez received a $3,000 college scholarship from Me-N-Ed’s Founders Scholarship Program, as well as a $500 visa gift card and a $350 scholarship from the Briscoe Family Foundation. Gonzalez also received proclamations from a number of city and county officials including Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Rep. Jim Costa and other state legislators.

He also was awarded free Me-N-Ed’s pizza for one year.

 

The second place award went to Yadira Murillo, who represented Orange Cove Club, with West Fresno Club’s La’Meka Bryant taking home third. Each of the runner ups also receive a $350 scholarship from the Briscoe Family Foundation and a year of Me-N-Ed’s pizza.

“We see the Youth of the Year winners as Fresno’s future leaders,” said BGCFC President Diana Carbray in a press release prior to the event. “Many of the finalists have gone on to impact their communities in better ways.”

Me-N-Ed’s Pizza has sponsored the event for 20 years, continuing to support Valley youth and their endeavors to making an impact in their communities.

 

“We’d like to thank Me-N-Ed’s Family who have been a part of this event since the start and have supported the Boys & Girls Clubs for 20 years,” Carbray added.

Gonzalez now has the opportunity to continue on to the Northern California Youth of the Year competition. Competitors then progress to the state and regional levels, culminating in the national competition.

The winner of the National Youth of the Year award will win a car, a full-ride college scholarship and an opportunity to meet the U.S. President.

The national winners will be presented in the fall.

The BGCFC is the largest youth-service organization in Fresno County and has 14 locations, including one located inside the Juvenile Justice Campus. Clubs are placed strategically in neighborhoods of strong economic and social need.