Zane Castilleja of Prosser Named Boys & Girls Club 2018 Washington State Youth of the Year

PASCO Wash. - It’s been an exciting month for 15 year-old Zane Castilleja. This past February, Zane was chosen as the 2018 Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties Youth of the Year by community judges. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive.

Last week at an awards ceremony in Seattle, Zane was named the 2018 Washington State Youth of the Year. Zane, a sophomore at Prosser High School, was among 12 Youth of the Year winners across the state to compete for the title and was chosen by 10 State & National judges based on his outstanding character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. As the new teen representative for all Boys & Girls Clubs in Washington, Zane will receive $5,000 in college scholarships to continue his path toward success.

“I am incredible honored to have been selected as the Boys & Girls Club’s 2018 Washington State Youth of the Year. I am looking forward to representing the 74,000 Club youth from throughout our state. The Club has taught me to be a servant leader and the best role model I can be. I will use my title to inspire my peers to join me in making a difference now and into the future,” states Zane.

Zane has been a member of the Prosser Boys & Girls Club for five years. He is actively engaged in leadership activities and has attended various leadership conferences including the Washington State Keystone Summit. Keystone is a leadership program offered by Boys & Girls Clubs. Zane hopes to attend the University of Washington to pursue a career as a surgical nurse.
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“We are so proud that Zane will represent Club youth as an ambassador throughout Washington State. Zane is a shining example of the outcome and impact the Boys & Girls Club has on community children and teens,” states Brian Ace, Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties Executive Director.
Each year a “Youth of the Year” is chosen to represent Washington in Boys & Girls Club of America’s Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition. This year’s regional competition will be held in Los Angeles in July. Winners are selected first at a Club level, then state, regional and national levels.