Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County

ANNOUNCES 2018 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Union, NJ  March 27, 2018– Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County is pleased to announce Peixe Williams as the 2018 Youth of the Year. Peixe, 17, is a senior at Plainfield High School, where she participates in varsity track, High Jump Challenge and held the role of varsity soccer manager.

She has been a member of our Plainfield Club for 3 years and is currently the Treasurer of the B.L.O.C.K. Keystone Club, where she volunteers numerous hours in a variety of community service projects. Peixe also participates in the Stand & Deliver and Career Launch programs.

Peixe works at her school store and is employed by DSW and Watchung Buffalo Wild Wings. In spite of her busy schedule, Peixe is always willing to lend a helping hand at the Club.

In her spare time, she enjoys working out, eating healthy, watching sports, listening to music, attending church and spending quality time with her family. Peixe plans to study Nursing and has multiple offers from colleges.

Peixe was chosen by a panel of 5 judges: Bipin Patel, CEO/President, AMPAL Group; Marie Maguire, Business Development Officer/Manager, BCB Community Bank; Anthony Osbourne, Attorney, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.; Kelly Webber, SVP, Human Resources, Valeant Pharmaceuticals; and Nelson Santos, Vice President, Santander Bank.

“Youth of the Year is the highest honor for Club members”, Russell Triolo, CEO, proudly stated.  “Members are recognized for their contributions in promoting service to our clubs, community and family, academic success, strong moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.  It is a joy to see these youth grow and develop as young adults.”

“Boys & Girls Clubs has been an amazing opportunity and has opened so many doors for me, for which I am grateful,” said Peixe. “I am shocked and happy that I was able to bring home the county win for my Club and I hope to accomplish more things in either Maryland Eastern Shore University or Rutgers University.”

Chris Hillmann, President of Hillmann Consulting, has continued with his generous sponsorship of the Youth of the Year Program and will award each of the three finalists with a $3,000 scholarship; Peixe will receive a $6,000 scholarship. Bipin Patel, CEO/President of AMPAL Group, has awarded Peixe with a $3,000 scholarship.

The Youth of the Year Program is the premier recognition program for Club members, promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals and poise in public speaking. This year’s Youth of the Year finalists were: Sha’don Taylor, 18, (Elizabeth Club); Jesea Littlejohn, 16, (Union Club); Kai Legband, 17, (Union Club); and Peixe Williams, 17, (Plainfield Club).

Next, Peixe will compete for the Boys & Girls Clubs New Jersey State Youth of the Year title in June. We wish her the best of luck now and in her future.

Summer Program registration is now open at our Union and Plainfield Clubs.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County offers youth programs in 5 communities during the school year in Union County: Plainfield, Elizabeth, Union, Hillside and Roselle.  Teen leadership programs for ages 14-18 are available in Union, Elizabeth and Plainfield.  Members participate in character, leadership, career preparation and community service activities throughout the year.  Aquatics is available at our Union Club.  For information on our clubs and programs, please visit our website bgcuc.org or contact us 908-687-2697.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County seek to inspire and enable young people, who need them most, to realize their full potential and have provided opportunity for youth since 1955. They are part of a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which serves more than 4.6 million young people annually, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach.

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Media Contact

Lisa Sepetjian, Director of Development & Marketing 908-687-7976 ext. 111.