Boys & Girls Club names top youth

Brayan Araiza, a 17-year-old Corona Ranch Clubhouse member, has been chosen as Youth of the Month for September by the Boys & Girls Club of Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties.

Brayan has been a member of the Corona Ranch Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties, formerly known as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma, for nearly a decade.

“Although not always the model member growing up, Brayan has blossomed into a young man of whom to be proud,” said Olivia Bidaurreta, program director of the clubhouse.

Brayan, a high school senior, is a varsity football captain, maintains a 3.0 grade point average and is college bound. He has worked to give back to the community, and now is planning a free football camp for underprivileged youth.

“While Brayan is indeed a remarkable individual in general, there are three qualities that are proof of this,” Bidaurreta said. “The first is his ability to be so transparently genuine, second is his heart and third is his perseverance.”

He has led a life full of ups and downs, mistakes and triumphs, and yet he does not let only certain aspects define him, she said.

“Throughout his short life, he has found a way to create an amalgam of the highs and lows so that when he presents himself, he shows his true soul to the world,” Bidaurreta said.

“He embraces all of his experiences, even those for which he has remorse, because he knows that what makes him a complete person is not just the good or the bad, but all of it,” Bidaurreta said.

Brayan’s heart works in two dimensions, she says, adding that first, he puts full effort all of his endeavors and pours his whole heart into whatever the task at hand may be.

Second, his heart is a guide for Brayan, Bidaurreta said.

“He opens his heart to the world so that he can give back, from helping younger youth with football techniques to wanting to mentor youth who face similar anger issues that he faced,” Bidaurreta said.

She feels his humility also plays a role in this, and that Brayan’s modesty regarding his transformation is apparent. He never admits that he has become such an inspiring person, she said.

“Finally, Brayan is perhaps one of the most persevering young people I have ever met. He is constantly pushing himself to do better in school, sports and life. Brayan will not stop until he has pushed himself as far as he can go and even then he has been known to push farther. This is what makes Brayan such a leader and a role model to all those who know him, both children and adults alike,” Bidauretta said.

“I am proud to say that I have the privilege of working and knowing Brayan, and I am exciting to see how his future unfolds in front of him. I know it will be truly moving and something to celebrate,” she added.

— Argus-Courier