BGCBI Honor Teens, Community Supporters at Annual Event

Last Friday, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island celebrated its 2016 Youth of the Year Event, which honored two teens and a host of community supporters.

Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of America presents the Youth of the Year program to recognize Club members. The program promotes and celebrates service to the Club, community and family, academic performance, moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.

The BGCBI 2016 Youth of the Year award went to 14-year-old Jordyn Alexandra Brooks-Mathew from the Pahoa Club.

Brooke-Matthew will now compete for the State of Hawai’i Youth of the Year.

Eighteen-year-old Nicholas Miguel from the Hilo Club is the BGCBI runner up.

The Youth of the Year event also honored community supporters who have been instrumental in BGCBI’s success:

Newton J. Chu Esq. – Honoree of the Year

Chu Esq. is an attorney and director at Torkildson, Katz, Moore, Hetherington & Harris and a Board Member Emeritus. Active in many East Hawai’i community service organizations, Newton served as the indispensable Board Secretary at a time of significant transition for the Club. His sense of humor and grace under fire as Master of Ceremonies has also enlivened many BGCBI events through the years.

Puna Lions Club and Waiakea Lions Club – Champions for Youth

The Puna Lions Club and Waiakea Lions Club have supported BGCBI by providing mentoring, equipment, funds, and many hours of skilled labor to improve and upkeep BGCBI Club locations around the island.

The Trustees of the Hilo Boarding School – Foundation Award

The “Hilo Boys Club” started as a program of the Hilo Boarding School Trust in 1952. In the years since, the trustees of the Hilo Boarding School have remained strong supporters of the Boys & Girls Club movement and Big Island youth. This special award is in recognition of the Trustees’ steadfast commitment to supporting Big Island youth and their long relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island.

Dolly Kailiawa, Pahala Club Director  – 10 Years of Service Award

A life-long supporter and advocate for youth and her community, Dolly Kailiawa joined the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island’s team as a Youth Development Specialist in 2006. In the time since, she became the Pahala Club Director and now serves as Club Director for both the Pahala Club and the Ocean View outreach site. Dolly is a strong leader in the Club and the Ka`u community, as demonstrated by the partnerships she has built and the staff and youth she has mentored.

Zavi Brees-Saunders, BGCBI Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Brees-Saunders was given an award by the Board of Directors for leadership and service to the youth of the Big Island. The Board expressed their gratitude to her for leading the organization during a time of transition.

Jordyn Alexandra Brooks-Mathew and Senator Kai Kahele. BGCBI courtesy photo.

David Shaw (Pahoa Lions Club, Ryan Kadota (Board Vice Chair), Stephanie Clark (Waiakea Lions Club). Both Lions Clubs received Champions of Youth Awards. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Dolly Kailiawa, Pahala Club Director, received 10 Years of Service Award. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Donn Mende (Board Chair) presented Peter Kubota, representing The Trustees of the Hilo Boarding School with the Foundation Award. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Donn Mende (Board Chair) presented Zavi Brees-Saunders (Chief Executive Officer) with an award for her leadership and service to Big Island youth. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Jordyn Alexandra Brooks-Mathew, BGCBI 2016 Youth of the Year. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Mayor Billy Kenoi, Jordyn Alexandra Brooks-Mathew and Nicholas Miguel. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Newton Chu, Honoree of the Year. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Nicholas Miguel, Youth of the Year runner up. BGCBI courtesy photo.

Representative Clifton Tsuji, Jordyn Alexandra Brooks-Mathew and Dionne Mathew (Alex’s mother). BGCBI courtesy photo.

Senator Kai Kahele, Newton Chu, Maria Kahele (Senator’s wife) and Roberta Chu (Newton’s wife). BGCBI courtesy photo.