From the minute he begins to speak, it’s obvious why the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver picked Josh Ford as its 2009 Youth of the Year.
He’s nervous, yes, but exudes poise and confidence. Standing at a microphone in a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, filled with about 600 people, he describes how the club has shaped him, how it has given him “the opportunities to reach my potential.”
He talks about his future as an electronic engineering major at Kansas State University, stating emphatically that he will not only survive the academic demands that will be made on him, he will “excel and be great. I know I can be. I know I will be.”
The audience gave the Mullen High School senior a standing ovation. A running back for the Mullen football team, Ford also has volunteered for the 9Health Fair and led a Money Matters class for younger club members.
He succeeds Shonetta Henry, who went on to be named National Youth of the Year. Henry not only introduced Ford, who has been a member of the club’s Denver Broncos branch since it opened five years ago, she had the honor of watching as her sister, T’Keyah, a member of the George M. Wilfley branch, was recognized as one of the runners-up.
In addition to T’Keyah Henry, other contenders for senior Youth of the Year were Ca’La Connors, Amanda Castillo, Nicole Caranza, Jesus Guardado, Ruby Espino and Aileene Fontes.Char’Nae Wilson, also a member of the Denver Broncos branch, was named junior Youth of the Year. Runners- up were Teon Holt, Roxana Bustos, Michael Friend, Justine Bautista, Janely Altamirano, Kenji Lilly and Stephanie White.
The dinner also was the occasion for Sidney Gates, who has been a volunteer art teacher at the Boys & Girls Clubs since 1985, to be honored as the 2009 Champion of Youth. Club president John Arigoni also lauded her for her service on the board of directors and for helping to raise “hundreds of thousands of dollars to help our young people succeed academically, develop healthy lifestyles and build good character and citizenship.”
Mayor John Hickenlooper and Gov. Bill Ritter were honorary chairmen for the event that raised $100,000. Don Kortz headed the sponsorship committee; Lambert Bunker and Diane Shurtleff chaired the auction; and volunteer leadership came from such supporters as Mary An schutz, John Shaw, Maggie Morrissey, Evan Lichtenfels, Tom Honig, Tom O’Donnell, Ellen Sandberg and Brandon and Wendy Johnson.
Guests included former Champion of Youth honoree Fred Hamilton and his wife, Jane; Delta Dental president Kate Paul; retired Public Service Co. chief Del Hock and his wife, Millie; Kathi Brock; Bill and Joanne Sinclaire; Tim Griggs of FSN Rocky Mountain; Patricia Baca and her mother, Mary; Howard and Susan Noble; Steve and Kathy McConahey; David Thomson; and attorney Ellen Stewart with hubby Donald Vancil.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, davidson
This story has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, an incorrect name appeared in the caption of the photo of Josh Ford.
