Congratulations to our Youth of the Year – Uriel

Uriel has been a proud member of Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods for the past four years. Reflecting on his journey, he shares how excited he was to become part of something so meaningful. When he first joined, Uriel was quiet and reserved, but over time he grew in confidence and embraced opportunities to step into leadership roles.

Today, Uriel is an active participant in the Teen Keystone Leadership group and serves as a positive role model for his peers. He also excels academically, maintaining a 3.6 GPA at Eureka High School and participating in the AP English Excel Club.

Uriel’s hard work and dedication have truly paid off. After coming just short of the title the previous year, he set a goal for himself—and achieved it—being named the 2026 Youth of the Year. Determined to grow, Uriel became more involved both in the Club and the community, participating in programs such as Passport to Manhood, SMART Moves, and Junior Staff. These experiences helped him become more confident, engaged, and outspoken in all areas of his life.

Beyond the Club, Uriel enjoys playing Magic: The Gathering and spending time with the close friends he has made during his time at the Club. He also gives back to the community by volunteering at coat drives, bake sales, and other service events.

As he looks ahead to his senior year, Uriel has set his sights on an ambitious new goal: becoming a two-time Youth of the Year winner—an achievement that has never been accomplished at the Club before.

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