The Annual “Youth of the Year Awards Luncheon” for the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park was held Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel.
Each month during the 2013 year, a boy and a girl were chosen as, “Youth of the Month” at the Boys & Girls Club and then during the annual luncheon, one boy and one girl are surprised with the announcement as, “Youth of the Year,” chosen from the 150 club members.
The Annual “Youth of the Year Awards Luncheon” for the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park was held Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel.
Each month during the 2013 year, a boy and a girl were chosen as, “Youth of the Month” at the Boys & Girls Club and then during the annual luncheon, one boy and one girl are surprised with the announcement as, “Youth of the Year,” chosen from the 150 club members.
To be chosen as a Youth of the Month and Youth of the Year, the club looks at how the individual youth did in school, what they are doing in the community, along with their honesty and attitude, how dependable they are and if they demonstrate team work.
The 2013 top two youth are Bailey Stine, 17, and Daniel Files, 13, for their outstanding achievement and exemplary leadership at the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park.
Stine is a senior at Sunny Hills High School who wants to be a Forensic Psychologist and Files is a 7th grader at Walker Junior High School, with a future ambition to be a fire fighter.
Guestspeaker was Southern California Shoe designer and craftsman George Esquivel,founder, president and design director for Esquivel Designs, which makes customized shoes and unique leather goods.
Esquivel is a Buena Park resident, whose factory is also located in Buena Park and his children attend/attended local Buena Park schools.
Esquivel’s company began in 2001; however, he began making shoes in his garage in the mid-1990s, where he designed and made shoes for Orange County musicians, along with making footwear for well-known celebrities such as Drew Carey, Kevin Costner Gwen Stefani and Taylor Swift to name only a few.
“Today is about the kids,” said Esquivel. “You can do anything you want to; I’m living my dreams, designing and making shoes for famous people and shows,” he said.
Esquivel said the road to get where he is today, was not easy.
“I attended 12 schools in Orange County, graduating in 1989 from Western High School,” he continued. “I lived in motels and my dad did drugs and was in jail; I had to go buy milk with food stamps for our family of seven; there were embarrassing moments and it wasn’t easy; it was challenging but it’s okay. If I had had the support I see today in this room, it would have been less painful,” he said.
Esquivel said his mother kept him going, by telling him to have faith and to work hard and then everything would be okay.
Esquivel gave credit to two coaches at Western High School, one being Buena Park Police Honor Guard member Art Pegg. “Art Pegg helped me out and understood what I was going through.,” he said.
“Live your dreams and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it – I’ve gotten paid to travel around the world with my job – and this wouldn’t have happened if I had listened to people,” Esquivel said.
Esquivel admonished the kids to, “Work through the pain and it will get better” and he praised them for what they have accomplished.
“Don’t accept ‘no’ for an answer; keep asking for help and don’t be afraid to fail – because right now you can’t imagine what you can be – I want to motivate you and honor you because today is just your first accomplishment, so keep striving and work hard, for the harder you work, the more rewarding it is; never give up.”
There are three major supporters and sponsors of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park, which includes McAuley LCX Corp., Mike Ells Construction and JCPenny, along with nearly 20 other companies and individuals, too numerous to print here, but equally appreciated, said Boys & Girls Interim CFO Todd Trout.
“JCPenney has been a great supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, raising $28,000 for the Club with a clothing sale held at the Club in 2012, and another $19,000 in December of 2013,” said Trout. “We are naming a gift for one of the top kids at the Club in honor of Martin Mareno who worked for JCPenney.”
Parents were thanked for all they do for the children. “You are your children’s role models and the police officers are here today to show their support to the club and the youth.”
Each of the leaders at the Boys & Girls Club had an opportunity to introduce the 24 young people and tell something about them as they were presented with a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgment from Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva.
The next event for the Club is the “Fiesta FunDraiser” set for Saturday, May 17, formally known as “Bids for Kids.” Those attending must be at least 21-years old.
For Buena Park Boys and Girls Club information, call 714-522-7259 or visit www.theplaceforkids.org.
