Springfield College Helps Recognize 2018 Springfield Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Recipient

Springfield College Vice President for Student Affairs Shannon Finning presented Sufreimy Mota, 2018 Greater Springfield Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year recipient, with a $20,000 undergraduate scholarship to attend Springfield College, at the recent youth of the year celebration at the Greater Springfield Boys & Girls Club.

“Springfield College is honored to be able to award Sufreimy this very special scholarship,” said Finning, who served as one of the judges in determining the youth of the year winner for the second consecutive year. “Through the help of Vice President for Enrollment Management Stuart Jones and the Office of Admissions at Springfield College, we were able to offer this scholarship to the youth of the year recipient, and support our local youth.”

Mota was the top choice of the finalists that were eligible for the youth of the year honor. This award is part of a yearlong process at the Springfield Boys & Girls Club that highlights local youth monthly.

“Each month, our staff at the Springfield Boys & Girls Club selects one youth of the month,” said Springfield Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Vincent Borello. “From the youth of the month winners, we chose three finalists to be eligible to receive the youth of the year award. We partner with local professionals to serve as judges in helping determine one lucky recipient.”

As Borello and Finning both explained when announcing the winner, all the finalists impressed the judges, but Mota’s maturity, positive attitude, and career vision really made her standout from the other finalists.

Finalists have to submit recommendations from their teachers, and also draft an essay describing their academic experiences, and their academic and future career goals.

“This award really means a lot because I pretty much grew up at the Boys & Girls Club,” said Mota. “It feels great, it’s nice to know everyone is proud of me, this is really a special award.”

The partnership between Springfield College and the Springfield Boys & Girls Club is set up with a focus on helping youngsters in the Pioneer Valley reach their academic dreams.

“Being a part of the judging process for this special award reminds me how much this honor plays right into the mission of Springfield College,” said Finning. “There is a focus on academic excellence, leadership and service, and a focus on the health and development of the whole person. So for me, it seemed like a natural partnership and connection between the College and Boys & Girls Club.”