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From left, Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Finalists (from left) Asia Douglas, Kaitlynn Torres, Aidalise Marcano and Emy Pujols show off the “Going Places” bracelets awarded by St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke (center). SUBMITTED PHOTO
St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke oversees units that investigate vicious and violent crimes, among the things that go along with a career in law enforcement.
But, it was his place on the selection panel for the Boys & Girls Club of St. Cloud’s Youth of the Year competition panel that was, “One of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.”
The four finalists were all worthy of the honor, the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. And, to hear Goerke put it, by selecting one the panel would not be selecting the other three worthy candidates.
And while they selected Aidalise Marcano, who studies through the Digital Academy of Florida, Goerke found a way to honor Marcano and fellow finalists, Kaitlynn Torres of St. Cloud High School, Emy Pujols of Harmony High and Asia Douglas of Tohopekaliga High.
They have all been awarded a St. Cloud “Community Service Award” and given honors by the City of St. Cloud for their leadership and commitment to the next generation of Boys & Girls Club members.
In fact, you can usually find all four at the club on weekday afternoons after school, helping elementary and middle school members with homework or just having fun.
“These are four absolutely incredible young ladies with extremely bright futures,” Goerke said. “The competition was simply amazing. They had to write essays, and then answer questions they didn’t know about ahead of time, and answered with flying colors.
“But what blew us away (the panel included Club supporters Robert Bass and Raylynne Ketchum and Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital President Brian Wetzell) was how they supported each other even though they were competing against one another. It was extremely difficult to choose a winner.”
The St. Cloud Police Department presented all four with a plaque, a bracelet inscribed with the words that they’re “Going places,” and a Chief’s Challenge Coin.
“It’s our acknowledgment of their having the courage to put themselves out there and compete for such a prestigious award,” Goerke said. “It helps restore faith in the generation who follow us.”
Torres, 16, was selected as Youth of the Year, and said every year coming from the club and SCPD has blown her away.
“I felt like I’d achieved a level of preparedness, since I had to think of what I might be asked during the interview,” said Torres, who hopes to major in criminal justice and become a lawyer. “I’m excited to represent the club.”
Marcano said she was “shocked” when she found out she was a finalist.
“I feel special and honored adult leaders thought that highly of me,” said Marcano, 18, a Boys & Girls Club Leader in Training. “I got involved with the club when my bother joined and I love it.”
Pujols, 17, was already a part of Harmony High’s Key Club, a service organization, so being a Club leader in training is second nature. She’s planning on majoring in international business in college, but when she heads off to school she said she plans to return to the club during summers.
“It’s important to be needed, and for there to be a place for kids,” she said.
