JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUTH- Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes Youth of the Year winner Sarah Brecht, a Sequoia Middle School student, center, celebrates with other Youth of the Year nominees, from left, Natalie Krause, Shelby Grigoriadis, Anthony Allen and Andrew Ceco. An awards banquet took place at the Los Robles Greens Golf Course Banquet Room last Friday. The Los Robles Golf Course Banquet Room was transformed into a Polynesian paradise last Friday evening, with decorations and sandfilled "island" table centerpieces created by members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes. It was the annual "Celebrating Our Youth" dinner and awards presentation.

Sarah Brecht of the Sequoia Club in Newbury Park was named the club's Youth of the Year. The other finalists were Anthony Allen, Andrew Ceco, Shelby Grigoriadis and Natalie Krause.

Youth of the Year is the cornerstone of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's character and leadership development program. Finalists are evaluated on academics, moral fiber, personal goals and obstacles overcome, poise in public speaking, and service to their club, community and family.

Each finalist received checks for $200, Mann Theatres movie passes and certificates of recognition from state legislators and from the cities of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

Jagger Krusen and Jazmyn Kaplan were honored for their outstanding sportsmanship in the 8 to 10yearold and 11 to 14year-old divisions of the club's Junior NBA basketball league.

Members Michael Alari and Nicole Lux were winners of, respectively, the summer camp Tshirt design and "Celebrating Our Youth" logo competitions.