Elizabeth Ibarra named Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is proud to announce Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ibarra as its 2021-22 Youth of the Year.

Youth of the Year is the Club’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone – especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. The Youth of the Year award is the most prestigious honor that can be earned at the Club, and the winner must go through an application and interview process to be considered. The award is earned, not just given out, as the Youth of the Year plays an integral role in representing the organization as a whole throughout their year-long reign.

“I was honored to be selected as a Youth of the Year judge for the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac this year,” said Interim Police Chief Aaron Goldstein. “To say I left the interviews feeling even more excited and full of hope for our community’s future would be an understatement. One Club member, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ibarra, told her story about why she attends the Club and the positive impact it has had in her journey in developing her leadership and service skills while also creating a true sense of belonging. Lizzie is a great representative of the Club’s values of belonging, growth, responsibility, respect, and safety. On behalf of the members of the Fond du Lac Police Department, we congratulate Lizzie on being named BGCFDL’s Youth of the Year.”

Ibarra, a 10th-grader at Fond du Lac High School, has been involved in the Boys & Girls Club since first grade and was also selected to receive the Power Hour Academic Excellence Award this year. She is interested in pursuing a career in law, wildlife rehabilitation, or marriage/family therapy after she graduates high school. When asked what the Club means to her, Ibarra said, “Club is my second home. I come to Club because it’s where I feel at peace and the happiest. I love to be there with my friends and staff who help with my homework and make me feel comfortable.”

Reflecting on the Boys & Girls Club values (belonging, growth, responsibility, respect, and safety), Ibarra provided a great example of how she lives by these values at Club and in the community. She said, “I am living by all of these values because I involve new members of Club or try to have the non-talkative kids join what we’re doing.” Ibarra also enjoys getting involved whenever there is an opportunity to give back, and being a member of Keystone Club has allowed her to volunteer for community service projects such as Women’s Empowerment Series, Walk for Alzheimer’s, Family Strengthening events in partnership with the Fond du Lac Family YMCA, and raking lawns for those who need assistance.

Ibarra feels that the biggest challenge for youth today is gaining a sense of belonging. “It’s hard for teens to find the courage to talk to new people,” said Ibarra. She feels that the Boys & Girls Club can help youth, especially teens, overcome this challenge by continuously encouraging them to include kids who don’t seem to have the feeling that they belong. 

“Lizzie will make an outstanding Youth of the Year. She has demonstrated great work ethic in and out of school as well as the Club, she is always there for people in need, and always has a great attitude,” said Aly Sanders, mental health coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club.

Ibarra believes that what makes her a great Youth of the Year is that she lives up to her values and morals, and also has willpower. She stated, “BGC has aided me in becoming the person I am today, both mentally and physically. Club has helped me discover my morals and values, which I now follow as a result of Club showing me what it means to have my true identity. I’ve participated in a number of programs that have influenced how I see life and how I want to present myself. Even though my opinion is most important, the BGC staff has had and will continue to have a significant impact on the life decisions I have made and will continue to make.” 

Ibarra shared that she has made new friends at the Club who have also had a significant impact on her life. “I not only talk to these friends at Club, but also outside of it. I never imagined that BGC would be the place where I could be myself and be accepted by so many people. I cherish the relationships I’ve formed and the bonds I’ve formed with people who understand and still love me,” said Ibarra.

For more information about Club programs and how to become a Boys & Girls Club member, click HERE.