March 6, 2009
PROVIDENCE YOUTH OF THE YEAR SELECTED
John Michael Goncalves wins honor for commitment to family, community, and education
Providence, RI – John Michael Goncalves, 17, is a true example of an extraordinary young man. He has just been selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs to compete against other teens for the Rhode Island Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. As the Youth of the Year for Providence, Goncalves is among local youth across the country to be recognized for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
The youngest of three children growing up in a single-parent household in Fox Point, Goncalves’s life could have turned out very differently than it has. He’s a role model for the younger members of the Boys & Girls Club, is a student leader at the Wheeler School where he has never received a grade lower than B-, was selected by Bank of America for their summer 2008 Student Leader Program, and in December he received his acceptance letter to Brown University.
“John Michael is a young man with promise and a bright future ahead of him. He is a great example for our younger members of what they can achieve,” said Bill Beatini, a long time employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs most familiar with John Michael.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of Reader’s Digest.