BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA FE/DEL NORTE TEEN NAMED 2018 NEW MEXICO “YOUTH OF THE YEAR”

By Santa Fe boys and girls club

Santa Fe, NM (March 13, 2018) – Lucas McNatt, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte, was named the 2018 New Mexico State Youth of the Year on March 10, 2018 in Las Cruces. Lucas is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Lucas competed against four other Boys & Girls Club teens from Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Farmington and was awarded $5,000 in college scholarship money.
Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the Youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. They exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.
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 he or she has overcome.
Lucas has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since he was 11 years old and has been a mentor and model citizen for other Club members to look up to. Lucas continues to be a part of the Boys & Girls Club as a summer staff member. Lucas is an athlete at Capital High School where he participates and is Captain of his football, track, and wrestling teams. He is as committed to his academics as he is to athletics and is always on the Honor Roll. Lucas was chosen to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte as its Youth of the Year because of his leadership skills, academics, andmentorship skills. I  After graduating from Capital High School this Spring, Lucas plans to go to New Mexico Military Institute where he will study law and play football. Lucas will now go on to represent New Mexico at the Southwest regional competition in Dallas in June. There, he and representatives from 7 other states will compete for a $10,000 scholarship and a chance to move forward to the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives a $50,000 scholarship.
Roman Abeyta, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte said, “We are very proud of Lucas. He exemplifies everything we strive to teach our Club members. He will do well to represent us, and the entire State of New Mexico, when he competes in Dallas. Lucas has a very bright future.