Wilmington, DE – Delsy Morales, a member of the Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club, has been named the Youth of the Year for the State of Delaware. In addition to winning this prestigious title, Morales also will receive $3,000 in scholarships – $1,000 each from the Reader’s Digest Foundation, Janosik Family Charitable Foundation, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware – as well as a Dell laptop computer donated by Best Buy, printer, and digital camera.
Morales will now go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Northeast Regional Competition in New York City.
A senior at Howard High School of Technology, Morales is a consistent member of the Distinguished Honor Roll and currently maintains a 3.8 GPA.
Morales is part of Howard High School’s Co-op program, where she goes to school half of the day and works at the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center the rest of the day as a Patient Care Navigator.
When not in school or working, Delsy is at her other job, her home, the Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club. Delsy has been a member for over 10 years and participates in several programs including Keystone Club, basketball, swim team, Teen Café, and more. Delsy’s role with the Keystone Club – a teen group dedicated to leadership, community service, and character building – has grown from a quiet observer to a key leader amongst the group.
“I can truly say Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club saved my life and thousands of other members as well”.
“The Club knows me better than I know myself, and they always encourage me to realize that I am better than what I think – and they are absolutely right,” says Morales.
Although Morales has overcome overwhelming circumstances, she is a caring, mature young lady who embodies what the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware’s Youth of the Year should be.
Morales participated with 7 other candidates from Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state. Judging was based on leadership qualities and service exhibited through: home and family; moral character; service to community; school; service to Club; life goals; obstacles overcome; communication, including public speaking; and poise.
According to Joseph L. Yacyshyn of Wilmington Trust, “Youth of the Year is an exciting and rewarding experience. Each of the candidates was remarkable and inspirational. They represent the best of the best of Delaware’s young people. Although only one will advance to the regional event, all are winners. Wilmington Trust is proud to continue our sponsorship of this worthwhile program.”
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
This program was founded more than 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “For over 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens, like Delsy Morales, for their dedication to their families, Club, community, and their academic and career goals.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is part of a nationwide movement whose mission is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware provide vital youth development services for more than 32,000 children ages six through 20. The 42 Club sites are conveniently located where such programs are limited or nonexistent; however, there are thousands more children across the state who need our services.
