The future of Santa Monica was on full display on Feb. 27, as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica hosted a ceremony at Lunetta to honor the organization’s 2024 Youth of the Year and runner-up. Earning the honor was youth leader Jayson Bautista, a senior at University High School Charter and a dedicated advocate of the Mar Vista Gardens branch, while Samohi student Haley Castanaza earned the runner-up distinction.
Bautista was selected out of participants in the Santa Monica Youth of the Year program, which is also adopted by nearly all Boys and Girls Clubs across the country. Both Bautista and Castanaza had to write three essays, submit transcripts of school grades, receive letters of recommendation regarding community service and show attributes of leadership. After submitting the materials, the youth interviewed with a panel of judges who chose the honor based on exceptional service and leadership provided in the clubs and local communities.
Serving as President and Vice President of the Mar Vista Gardens Keystone Club, Bautista began attending the Boys and Girls Club at six years old, and took the time to reflect on his accomplishments during the Feb. 27 ceremony.
"It’s been great knowing that in this place I call home, I’ve been able to foster relationships … the club is a space that offers safety, support, and has truly made me feel accepted," Bautista said. "This club has allowed me to meet amazing individuals who have paved the path to becoming the young adult I am today."
Bautista accumulated over 240 hours of community service through his decade-plus of membership, including collecting blankets and warm clothes to donate to local shelters, working with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to educate peers about water conservation and energy efficiency, and partnering with the UCLA Center for Community Engagement on a research project aiming to rectify misperceptions of the Mar Vista Garden community.
"I’ve had firsthand experience in providing my community support, which created a sense of belonging," he added.
His club membership also put him on the path to earn a position as a pilot with a commercial airline, including attending an aviation camp in 2022 which allowed him to complete a flight at just 16 years of age. He intends on continuing this path after being accepted into his "dream college," Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Castanaza also joined Boys and Girls Clubs at a young age, feeling overwhelmed at first, but eventually receiving support from her older brother and eventual lifelong friends. She recounted her "countless memories" at the club, including playground games like "hot lava" that put her on the path to independent womanhood.
"The playground became more than just a place for play, it’s where I formed my first set of friends and spent the majority of my time," Castanaza said. "It was a journey of happiness, adventures and self-discovery."
She also reflected on character-shaping activities at the John Adams Middle School branch and the personal growth achieved at her "second home."
"The Boys and Girls Club provided a safe and inclusive environment with activities such as sports, arts and dances," Castanaza added. "Engaging in these activities … forged connections and opened doors that I lacked at home. [The club] constantly provided me with valuable resources … that significantly supported my education."
Up next for Bautista is a chance to earn the Los Angeles Metro Youth of the Year award, followed by potential state, regional and national honors.
"It’s a really big opportunity for kids to really have an impact and a voice in various settings on the issues facing youth, the issues facing communities, and really talk about what Boys and Girls Clubs does to be part of those solutions," Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica CEO Brynja Seagren said of the honor.
On Feb. 24, the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu hosted its Youth of the Year ceremony, bestowing Malibu High School senior Emily Pablo-Soavedra with the honor. A teenage leader in the Malibu community, Pablo-Soavedra has participated in the club’s Brents Club program and anti-drug campaigns inspiring sobriety among other youth.
"I truly believe that I would not be the woman I am today if it were not for the endless support I have received from the Club and the opportunities they have provided to me … I hope to carry the lessons of selflessness, mentorship and kindness instilled by the Club and use my voice and personal experiences to educate others, advocate for change and contribute to meaningful discourse," she said.
