Highland High School senior honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY — Highland High School senior Briana Ochoa has been selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake's Youth of the Year for 2013.  

Ochoa, 17, will receive a $1,000 scholarship and have opportunity to represent Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake at the state competition Feb. 6.

"The Boys & Girls Club means a lot to me," said Ochoa, who has been attending the Sugar House Boys & Girls Club for the past 10 years. "It has given me the opportunity to succeed in life, even when I thought I couldn't."

Youth of the Year is the highest award given to a member of the club, recognizing members for sound character, leadership skills and community service, according to a news release from the organization.

Teenagers from Greater Salt Lake club locations were selected by local staff as candidates for the award. Other candidates were Kevin Enriquez, a West High School senior; Evelyn Salazar, a West High junior; and Rylie Grissetti, a Tooele Junior High student. Each candidate received a scholarship of $500, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Sugar House.