Jazzlyn Pasion-Saflor, who will be a senior at Kapa‘a High School this fall, was selected as the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i Regional Winner at the organization’s banquet in April. But Pasion-Saflor, who worked with the Kapa‘a clubhouse, wasn’t
Jazzlyn Pasion-Saflor, who will be a senior at Kapa‘a High School this fall, was selected as the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i Regional Winner at the organization’s banquet in April.
But Pasion-Saflor, who worked with the Kapa‘a clubhouse, wasn’t announced to her home island until she and the two other Kaua‘i nominees had a chance to work with Macy’s personal shopper Diane Melchor in selecting wardrobes geared toward dressing for success.
Benjie Baclig, who will be a senior at Waimea High School in the fall and worked with the Waimea club, was also nominated and received Youth of the Year Speech honors.
Nominee Rowena Dela Cruz, a Waimea grad, was also affiliated with the Waimea club and now works in its education center.
“After I get some money earned, I would like to go to Kaua‘i Community College and perhaps transfer to another college after that,” Dela Cruz said.
There were seven candidates for this year’s Youth of the Year competition, including the three from Kaua‘i.
The annual Youth of the Year academy program offers exceptional teens the opportunity to compete for the title of “Youth of the Year” at the organizational, state, regional and national levels.
Candidates are selected by their clubhouses for their leadership, resilience and demonstrated commitment to serve their families, communities and clubhouses.
“Without the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i, I would not have love, joy, trust and forgiveness in my life,” Pasion-Saflor said. “The club also helped me set goals so that I may one day go to college.”
Leading up to the recognition, partner organizations such as Macy’s engaged the finalists in seven weeks of training, mentoring and preparation for the competition. Included are an overnight camp, public speaking workshops, health and fitness seminars, mock interviews and the dress for success clinic, which Melchor led Friday.
For its efforts, Cruickshank said the regional winner trophies and plaques will be displayed at the Macy’s Kukui Grove store as a demonstration of its partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.
The nonprofit organization has provided a place for Hawai‘i’s young people during the critical after-school hours and throughout the summer for more than 30 years.
Each clubhouse not only provides the youth with a place to go, but also provides them with quality programming focusing on character-building, leadership skills, education, healthy lifestyles, the arts, sports and recreation.
For more information, call Cruikshank at 632-0009, or visit the BGCH Web site at www.bgch.com
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.
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