Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community hosts Youth of the Year Banquet
On March 7, the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community held its fourth annual “Youth of the Year” banquet, honoring outstanding young members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, academic success, and personal growth. The event, hosted at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass, brought together Community leaders, club members, families, and supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of these inspiring youth.
Vanessa Chacon was awarded the 2025 Youth of the Year winner. Chacon is a junior at Betty H. Fairfax High School, where she is involved with robotics and volleyball, interests she gained while attending the Boys & Girls Club – Komatke Branch. She considers the club her safe space where she has grown, discovered her passions and built resilience through sports, friendships, and academic support. She also serves as the club’s Keystone Club Treasurer.
“I would like to say thank you for this opportunity. I am so honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Chacon, “One of the many things I love about the club is the staff; they’re always there for you in the moment if you have a scraped knee or struggle with school work, they never gave up on any of us.”
Chacon began attending the club when she was five years old, “I wasn’t a very social kid at the time, but I do remember when I walked through those doors - I was welcomed with peace, a feeling of belonging, and hearing the laughter of children knowing that this would be a good place to be,” she said.
Chacon shared that the club was there for her when she lost her father, whom she said was one of her main foundations. The club helped her raise funds for his funeral, and club members were always there when she needed someone to talk to, “The club had become my second home,” she said.
Nominees for 2025 Youth of the Year included David Andrews, 12-year B & G club Kotmatke branch member and Keystone Club President, and Orion Homer, nine year B & G club Sacaton branch member.
Two former Youth of the Year winners, Nila Antone and Reuben Ringerlo Jr., emceed the banquet. “Overall, the youth of the year is an amazing experience. It is an experience like one of a kind,” said Antone.
“Youth of the year has really helped me be able to come out of my shell and be able to come up here and say what I need to say, and tell my story for our Boys & Girls Club,” said Ringlero Jr.
Featured keynote speakers for the event included District 6 Community Council Rep. Charles Goldtooth, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community Jason Jones, and Reuben Ringlero Sr. Ringlero Sr. who was the 2001 Youth of the Year recipient.
“The Gila River Boys & Girls Club has been a big influence with our children in the Community,” said Goldtooth. “I strongly feel that the Boys & Girls Club empowers our youth and it continues to help our kids with their personal and professional growth.”
The banquet also recognized Youth of the Month and Junior Youth of the Year. Finalists for Junior Youth of the Year, Al-Kiohod Gemma Gray, Flippen Hernandez, Herilyn Valencia, and Caleb Lujuan all got up on stage to share their experience with the club.
“Like many others, the club is considered a second home. The club has brought hope, opportunity, and joy to every member that comes,” said Gray, 2025 Juinor Youth of the Year winner. “The staff are supportive and always have an idea to help us start our futures or to grow to succeed.”
The club began in the Community in 1995, with its first location in Komatke, shortly after a second location was brought to Sacaton. Since then, the club has evolved and opened a new location last summer in Casa Blanca (Vah-Ki) at the District 5 Multi-Service Center.
“For 29 years, Boys & Girls of the Gila River Indian Community has taught our youth the traditions of our land, combined with the Boys & Girls Club Native Services,” said Jason Jones.
He emphasized the impact of the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community on local youth, stating, “The staff and I are committed to bringing the best youth development programming that the Boys & Girls Clubs can offer.”
Gila River Police Department Commander Jeff Hunter was also recognized with the Community Leadership Award.
Hunter has been a dedicated volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community since 2017, leading the club’s Big Brother, Big Sister program at the Sacaton branch.
“I want to give thanks to this Community. I’ve worked here for 25 years and it’s been nothing but great,” said Hunter during his acceptance speech.
As the evening concluded, attendees left inspired by the stories of perseverance and achievement, reaffirming the Boys & Girls Club’s vital role in shaping future leaders.