Hanscom teen named Youth of the Year

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A longtime member of Hanscom's Youth Center, who logged more than 150 hours of community service in 2014, was named the Military Youth of the Year Jan. 20 and will now compete at the state level.

Seventeen year old Brenna Gonsalves, a senior at Bedford High School, has been a member of Hanscom's Youth Program since age 9.

"I was honored to be selected for military youth of the year for Hanscom," Gonsalves said. "The Youth Center has been a big part of me building my identity and my love for volunteering over these last couple of years."

The Military Youth of the Year honor is a component of the Boys and Girls Club of America National Youth of the Year program. It recognizes a Youth Center member on a military installation who has overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments.

Gonsalves is an exceptional leader, who not only can voice her own ideas confidently, but has the uncanny ability to listen to others' suggestions and thoughts, said Shana Wickham, Youth Programs teen coordinator.

Among her numerous accomplishments, Gonsalves has served multiple terms as president of the Keystone Club, a teen leadership group for youth ages 13 to 18. The club focuses on four areas: academic success, career preparation, community service and, a new one this year, engaging teens. With the guidance of an advisor, members aim to have a positive impact on other members, the club and community.

"Brenna has been voted by her peers to serve as Keystone president for all four years of her term," said Wickham. "We're very proud of her accomplishments."

As an active volunteer, Gonsalves volunteers with the Youth Center and at Bedford High School as a student athletic director.

In addition, she participated in a presentation for teens on suicide awareness and self-harm that Maj. Thomas M. Smith also participated in.

"I have had the occasion to work on a project with Ms. Gonsalves; to assist her and her Teen Council team prepare a presentation on suicide prevention for her peers," wrote Smith, Mental Health Flight commander, in a letter of recommendation on her behalf. "Ms. Gonsalves was the clear leader within the group and demonstrated a high-level of motivation, enthusiasm and desire to spread this urgent message to a highly-vulnerable population."

After graduation in June, she plans on attending college to study event planning or sports management.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA's premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.

Gonsalves will now advance through state and regional competitions. After the Military Youth of the Year is named at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in the fall, winners advance to join the five regional Youth of the Year finalists from traditional BGCA clubs to compete for the National Youth of the Year title.

The Youth Center is always looking for other youths of high merit who are outstanding members in their school and throughout the community to nominate as Youth of the Year. For further information, call the Youth Center at 781-377-6043.