Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is pleased announce Palm Springs High School senior Gabriel Gustavson as its Youth of the Year.
The Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs’ premier way of recognizing one exceptional member for serving the Club and community, demonstrating academic success, exhibiting strong moral character and working toward future goals. To be eligible for this recognition, candidates must have been a member of the Club for two years, an affiliate of the Keystone Club and a senior in high school before submitting the application and delivering a speech to the four judges for evaluation.
“Gabe is definitely on the path to becoming someone great and it amazes me what he has accomplished, as well as the obstacles he has overcome,” said Board President Adam Gilbert, who is an alumni of Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs and also was Youth of the Year in 2003. “I am so proud of the spectacular young adult he has become and it truly showcases how great futures start right here at our Club.”
Gustavson, born in Lima, Peru, has been attending the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs since he was 8 years old. He has been President of the Keystone leadership program, volunteered over 515 hours at the Club since 2015, and volunteers at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter as well. His motto in life is “Excuses are imaginary because there is always something you can do.” While he was accepted to multiple collages, he plans on attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study Aerospace Engineering.
Gustavson will receive a scholarship in the amount of $30,000 from the Bremer Foundation, who have generously provided this scholarship for three years. In addition, energy conservation firm Empower Efficiency generously donated several laptop computers that were distributed to the four candidates who applied for Youth of the Year.
Gustavson will be recognized at the Club’s annual gala on March 9, from 6 to 9 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs. All proceeds from this event go directly to Ensuring Great Futures Start Here. In addition, Terry Tatum will be recognized for his dedication to the youth during his four years as President of Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs. The gala also will honor the Rotary Palm Springs and the Ritz-Carlton Palm Springs as the Club’s “Community Angels.”
The event will be emceed by former Palm Springs Mayor Will Kleindienst and is sponsored by Pacific Premier Bank and Merrill Lynch. Tickets are $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, visit classy.org/palm-springs/events/boys-girls-club-palm-springs-gala-ensuring-great-futures/e84343. For more information, call Andrea Madrigal at 760-327-1304 ext. 301 or visit www.bgcps.org.
