With a smile that symbolizes his good-natured personality and his willingness to help others, Damian Almazraawi was recently named the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester’s Youth of the Year at an event sponsored by the 99 Restaurants.
The Youth of the Year award is given to a teen in honor of his/her achievement, leadership and service rendered to the Boys & Girls Club, school, home and community. Caroline Alicea, the Plumley Village Clubhouse Youth of the Year and Christopher Colón, the Great Brook Valley Clubhouse Youth of the Year were also recognized for their contributions to their Club and community.
Almazraawi, representing the Main South Clubhouse, was selected by a panel of five community leaders who interviewed candidates from each of the three Worcester Clubhouses as well as Travis Holloway from the Fitchburg Clubhouse.
The judges included Duddie Massad from Commerce Bank, Dr. Ogretta McNeil, Elizabeth Roche from YoutNet, Jesse Edwards, Youth Director from the City of Worcester and Greg Babineau from 99 Restaurants.
A 16 year old, entering his senior year in the fall at University Park Campus School, Almazraawi takes AP and honors classes. It’s not just his academic excellence that makes him a stand-out; it’s also his desire to help others. Executive Director Ron Hadorn commented, “We are extremely proud of Damian. He gives so much of himself to our other members and is a big part of our Club community.”
Damian is a member of Youth Voices and the Class of 2009, which are leadership group clubs. He is a talented singer who has performed for the Club at special events and at talent shows. He created, implemented and completed a video game club and an avatar club, has brought artists to the Club to work with the younger Club members and volunteers a significant amount of his time to the Club each week.
Damian cites the Boys & Girls Club as his secret to success. “The Club showed me that with determination and a little bit of hard work, you can accomplish everything.”