| Aries Cooper will compete for the State Title and Scholarship BRADENTON, FL – Aries Cooper was announced as the 2019 Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. The announcement came at the organization’s Youth of the Year celebration dinner held at Grove restaurant in Lakewood Ranch on February 26. The Youth of the Year title is awarded to an outstanding young person in recognition of their leadership, service, academic excellence “Aries has evolved into a confident, caring, encouraging and dependable leader,” said Dawn Stanhope, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. “We’re delighted to have her representing our organization.” Cooper, a senior at Bayshore High School, has a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Her future plans include attending the University of South Florida or Lynn University for psychology and, one day, becoming a clinical psychologist. Aries, a member of the DeSoto Boys & Girls Club, began her Club experience 6 years ago as a middle school student. She credits the Club for building her confidence, encouraging her to grow and igniting her passion to serve others through volunteering. The Youth of the Year celebration dinner and the scholarships awarded to Aries and the two runner-ups ($1,000 each) were supported by sponsorships from NDC Construction Company, the Pittsburgh Pirates, BDE Florida-Taco Bell, Manasota Flooring Inc., Manson Roofing Inc., If Aries wins the state competition, she will compete for the title of Southeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. in September 2019, to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000. About Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” In operation since 1946, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County currently provides afterschool and summer programs for 3,000 young people at five locations (2 traditional Clubs and 3 school-based Clubs). The Clubs offer a safe place to learn and grow, where young members experience both life-enhancing and character-building programs focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and citizenship. For more information call 941-761-2582 or visitwww.bgcmanatee.org or www.facebook.com/BoysGirlsClubsManatee. ### |