AWARDS & RECOGNITION
NANCY ANN MENDIBURU YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD
In collaboration with our local Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County’s premier youth recognition program promotes and celebrates Club members’ service to Club, community and family; academic performance; moral character, and life goals. The Youth of the Year program is an effective tool for fostering young people’s personal growth and leadership qualities. The local Club recognizes Youths of the Month and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competition.
State winners participate in regional competition. Five regional winners each receive a $5,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $10,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States. Programs in this Core Program Area empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.
Character development has been identified as a major area of emphasis in our Movement’s strategic plan for the next five years. The Nancy Ann Mendiburu award describes what a Club looks like when it makes character development a cornerstone of its philosophy and programs.
LARRY E. REIDER OUTSTANDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL
Dr. Larry E. Reider was a key member of the founding committee (elected as Kern County Superintendent of Schools, 1999-2009) to build Mendiburu Magic Foundation, the first-ever Chairman for the Mendiburu Magic Community Advisory Board of Directors and Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees, since 2000. On behalf of the Mendiburu Magic Foundation, the prestigious Larry E. Reider Award is presented annually to an outstanding Youth Development Professional in the area of social enrichment, arts, literacy, or character development.
The award recipient is screened by the organization awards & scholarships committee and chosen based on his/her commitment and dedication to the cultivation of young people in Kern County. His/her valued work with young people county-wide has shaped responsible citizens who make our community a better place. In addition, the award is presented to a professional who helps young people realize their full potential through excellence in programming and innovation.
Larry E. Reider clearly represents integrity, hard work, and always doing the right thing, no matter who is looking. If you can lend a helping hand, then do it, without desire for repayment later. This sort of selfless dedication to his community and profession is found in this worthy award recipient.
PLEASE NOTE: In addition, Mendiburu Magic Foundation also honors “Outstanding Community Contributions” in Health-Care, Innovative Cancer Research Programs, and Outstanding Medical Social Work at our annual awards dinner and fundraiser. Please contact Mr. Davis, Mr. Rector, or Mr./Mrs. Mendiburu below, to ask questions about nomination forms, selection, criteria, and awards process overall.
FOUNDATION CONTACTS:
Brian Mendiburu, MMF Founder/President
Valerie Mendiburu, MMF Vice-Chair/VP of Public Affairs
John Davis, Cancer Research Chair/Board Member
Bill Rector, Youth Development Chair/Board Member