Oxnard Teen Honored as BGCOP's Youth of the Year

    OXNARD, CA, March 12, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Singled out among several outstanding youth, 18-year-old Amber Holmes has been chosen as this year's Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.
A seven-year Club member, Holmes is a senior at Oxnard High School senior and plans to study nursing at California State University, San Francisco, next year. She will be the first in her family to attend a university right after high school.

"The Club has transformed me from a shy little girl, into a confident young lady who is prepared to face any challenges that will ever stand in my way," said Holmes.

The Youth of the Year competition recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club local organization, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

"We are so proud of Amber. She works really hard and has become a great leader and mentor to other youth at the Club," said Erin Antrim, chief executive officer, BGCOP. "She embodies the qualities we look for in choosing our Youth of the Year: She is smart, committed to the Club and willing to share her experiences to help others achieve what's best for them."

Holmes has been involved with the Club's Keystone Leadership Club, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and College Bound programs. She has been the Keystone president for two years and a teen reporter for the Boys & Girls Club of America's MyclubMyLife.com site. At a recent NFTE completion, her "Big Beautiful Bows" business plan was honored as "Best Business."

When she was 11, her father was sent to prison and she and her mother moved to Los Angeles from San Antonio, Texas, to live with her grandmother. That same year, her grandmother passed away and they moved to Oxnard to be with her grandfather. As a result, Holmes attended three schools in two states that year.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club has served the youth of Oxnard and Port Hueneme for 60 years. With three full-service clubs, 18 school program sites and one housing site, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,200 members annually. It's also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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