Youths of the Year Lead By Example

by Linda Mcintosh, Community News Writer, San Diego Union Tribune

(February 16, 2006 -- Carlsbad, CA) Gabe Pliego is like a big brother to a lot of kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. And Toni Brown is like a big sister.

When Toni, 16, takes charge of a cooking class at the Club's Village Branch, the kitchen is filled with kids making smoothies and french toast or fruit salad.

And when Gabe, 12, tries a new game at the Club's La Costa branch, there is a crowd of kids around him.

Gabe was named 2005 Youth of the Year for his branch, and Toni was named overall Youth of the Year at the Club's Super Star Recognition Dinner last month.

For Gabe, the Club has been his after-school home since he was 7. "I'm friends with all the little kids. I want to make sure they're happy," Gabe said. He's known for his "let's try it" attitude. "He leads by example. It's his enthusiasm and positive attitude. When he says, let's do it, other kids join," said Denise Lamb, director of the Club's La Costa branch.

Gabe was chosen from 60 children attending the Club's La Costa branch and won a $500 scholarship. He is a sixth-grader at Aviara Oaks Middle School in Carlsbad and is the big brother to two sisters and a baby brother. His mother, Julie Martinez, attended the Boys & Girls Club of encinitas when she was growing up and started working at the La Costa branch last year. Now, she serves as program director and was recognized at the dinner as the branch's Employee of the Year. "Gabe has a sweet side, and the younger kids come to him," Martinez said.

Toni came to the Club two years ago with her twin sister, Tiffany. "The kids are the best part. I like to see them having fun," said Toni, a junior at Carlsbad High School. Toni put in more than 300 hours volunteering as a junior staff member and became a paid staff member last year helping out in the computer lab.

"She has the best work ethic. She puts in a lot of extra effort and stays late after work to get things done -- and she does that on her own -- no one asks her to," said Andre Walker, director of the Village branch.

Toni is vice president of Keystone, a leadership development group for teens 14 to 18 years old. As part of the program, she coordinates community service projects at the club and participates in regional leadership conferences. Last month, she teamed up with fellow club members to hand out water and t-shirts at the Carlsbad Marathon. "The club is my second home, and meeting new people here helped me overcome my shyness," Toni said. Toni was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, which she plans to use to pursue her goal of becoming a doctor or an elementary school teacher.