The Fall River Boys' and Girls' Club on Bedford Street held their final interviews before selecting the Youth of the Year award winner on March 20, 2010. Full-time staff at the Club nominate outstanding high school youth each year. Candidates then write eight essays on topics including home and family, education, their plans for after graduation, their community service experiences, and how the Club has changed their lives. Evaluation team members Joe Camara, Jessica Couto, Michelle McDonald and Club Executive Director Peter McCarthy read and evaluated the essays and then interviewed each candidate for fifteen minutes before making the final selection. "It was a difficult process," stated McCarthy," because every one of the candidates was so well qualified." The finalist is eligible for a $2,000 scholarship and will go on to compete with winners from across the state and the nation and scholarships of $7,000 and $15,000 respectively. Last year's national winner was from the Club in Pawtucket, RI. For more information about the event or the Club, contact Teen Director Mimi Larrivee at 508-672-6340.
 

(Top row, left) Candidate Alex Cunningham works in the boys locker room and the coat check room. (Top row, center) Candidate Kendra Valente works with the young children in the gym. (Top row, right) Candidate Jessica Melody works outside with the children. (Middle row) Candidate Catherine Grinnell, who works in the arts and crafts room, meets with evaluation team members Fall River School Committee chairman Joe Camara, former Youth of the Year winner Jessica Couto, Club Executive Director Peter McCarthy and volunteer Michelle McDonald of HUB International. (Bottom row, left) Candidate Megan Bouchard works in the game room. (Bottom row, right) Alex and Jessica applaud Catherine on her selection as Youth of the Year. Her photo will go up on the wall on the Youth of the Year plaque at the Club.