Celebrate Youth at the Blue Door Ball
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is set to honor its 2015 Youth of the Year finalists at the Blue Door Ball on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Presented by Tiffany & Bosco and Great American Title, the ball celebrates the organization’s top teenage members with more than 600 attendees including community leaders, supporters and esteemed guests. The evening boasts a silent and live auction, dinner and live entertainment while our teen finalists share their personal stories of triumph and transformation.
“Thousands of youth walk through the big blue doors at the Boys & Girls Club every day. Behind these doors all children and teenagers—regardless of their background—are empowered to achieve great futures,” says Marianne Curran who is co-chairing the ball along with fellow board member Janet Caldarelli. “We believe every child deserves a great future, and great futures start with the critical support we receive at this year’s Blue Door Ball.”
The national Youth of the Year program is a premier character and leadership initiative which has been in existence for more than 60 years. Recipients of the award are chosen based on each finalist’s demonstration of moral character, life goals, leadership, poise, public speaking ability and service to the Club, community and family. This year’s 10 finalists will compete for the distinction of being named the winning Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Youth of the Year. This year’s finalists are:
- Tatum Ayers, senior at Pinnacle High School and member at the Vestar Branch located in Phoenix
- Leonel Bello, senior at Coronado High School and member at the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch located in Scottsdale
- Melissa Ervin, senior at Fountain Hills High School and member at the Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch located in Fountain Hills
- Leonel Reyes, senior at Arcadia High School and member at the Paiute Neighborhood Center located in Scottsdale, part of the Outreach Services program
- Allison Mertz, junior at Pinnacle High School and member at the Thunderbirds Branch located in Scottsdale
- Nic Ship, sophomore at Saguaro High School and member at the Rose Lane Branch located in Scottsdale
- Joshua Scott, sophomore at Westwood High School and member at the Lehi Branch located in Mesa on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Lane Yazzie, senior at Salt River High School and member of the Red Mountain Branch, located in Scottsdale on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Kristen Yee, senior at Desert Mountain High School and member at the Virginia G. Piper Branch located in Scottsdale
The 2015 Youth of the Year announcement will be made at the conclusion of the Blue Door Ball. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and each of the nine runners-up will receive a $1,000 scholarship from General Dynamics C4 Systems. Some other corporate sponsors joining Tiffany & Bosco and Great American Title are General Dynamics C4 Systems, Republic Services, UMB Bank, Chasse Building Team, First Bank and First Western Trust.
The winning 2015 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Youth of the Year will continue on to the state-level competition with other organizations from across Arizona. The winner of the state competition advances to the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition held later this year, with the opportunity to continue to the national event.
Tickets for the Blue Door Ball start at $200/per person. Tables and event sponsorships are available at here or by calling 480-344-5682.
