2009 Youth of the Year speech -- Alex Zacarias

The late German Poet, Christian Morgenstern once said that “Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.”

Good evening, my name is Alex Zacarias.  Home to me wasn’t where I laid my head.  Home to me consisted of school, the Boys & Girls Club – two places I could go to get away from the home in which I resided.  We moved to Pleasants County with my grandparents in 1998 because my grandpa, who was diagnosed with brain cancer, wanted to spend his final days in this area.  Grandpa liked the small-town atmosphere, the people and the peace and quiet.  I believe he felt it would be a better place for me to grow up in rather than Ohio.  Grandpa passed away the day after Christmas, 1998 and was buried on my birthday.  Pleasants County was not where I wanted to live after the death of my grandpa – but we stayed.  It didn’t feel like home anymore. 

After my grandpa passed away, I dealt with many emotions, especially anger, which only made me stay away from my home as much as I possibly could.  I became more involved with activities at school and eventually ended up at the Boys & Girls Club in 2003.

The Club was there for me and it helped that it was right around the corner from my house.  I didn’t have to worry about anything when I was at the Club.  Everything bad just faded away when I walked through their doors.  It was a comfort that I couldn’t find at my own house.  I realized this was another home for me with people who cared.

I have been very active at the Club.  Being a member of Torch, Keystone, RAZE and Teen Action has taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork and giving back to the community.  I have held officer positions in both Torch and Keystone and I am the Team Leader for our RAZE group at St. Marys High School.  Last year I received the distinguished Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my service to the community.  I have been a tutor for the younger club members.  It is important to me to be a positive role model to the younger members. 

There are so many opportunities that the Club offers.  I have been privileged to be awarded the National winner of the Digital Arts Festival in photo illustration. I won a new Zune and an all expense paid trip this summer.  I also won a national essay contest about family.  I’ve been able to travel to various conferences with Keystone, including Indianapolis and this April to Atlanta for our National Keystone conference.  I encourage other members to take advantage of the opportunities that are available at the Teen Center.

I am currently a junior at SMHS.  I play soccer and baseball.  I am a member of the academic team, vocal ensemble and the yearbook staff.  I attended the Governor’s School for Math and Science and I was recently accepted into the Governor’s Honor Academy -that I will be attending in July.  I strive to do my best in school and to challenge myself.  I plan on continuing my education and going to college.    I would like to attend the Art Institute in Pittsburgh and have a double major in photography and advertising.

Having a good moral character is one of the best things in life and I try to have one of the best.  Henry Ford once said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”  I don’t rely on first impressions.  I would much rather give everyone an equal chance and get to know them and in the long run it pays off.  I always look for the best in everybody.  I don’t look down on anyone and wouldn’t want them to look down on me.  The Club teaches the importance of respecting one another no matter who they are, what they stand for or where they come from.

Now I understand why grandpa wanted to come here to Pleasants County.  I know that I will always have a home with a family who loves me.  The Boys & Girls Club will always be my other Home – where I will always find acceptance and people who understand.  Grandpa must have known there would be that other home for me and I found it at the Club.