The Boys & Girl’s Club of Santa Clarita Valley named Hart High School Senior JD Lontok as the 2023 Youth of the Year for his contributions to the community.

The Youth of the Year award is designed to promote and recognize service to the Club and community, academic performance, and contributions to family and home life.

Lontok, 17, joined the club in the 3rd grade when his parents enrolled him at the Sierra Vista Clubhouse, before later joining the James T. Ventress Clubhouse in Newhall upon entering the 8th grade.

“At first I was really nervous to go to the Club but I quickly made friends and connected with Club staff,” Lontok said.

Lontok has now been a member of the club for nearly a decade, currently serving as the Vice President of Keystone (the Boys & Girls Club’s teen leadership club) culminating in his nomination for the Youth of the Year.

Lontok and eight other teens nominated by Club staff across the valley interviewed with a panel of Club board members in December, sharing how they’ve overcome adversity, how the Club impacted their life, and what their dreams for the future are.

“Club staff, like Ish, taught me about teamwork, perseverance, and determination.  Having a shared interest made it easy to make friends with the other Club members,” Lontok said.

From that group, Lontok was selected to represent Santa Clarita Valley and is currently preparing for Los Angeles County Youth of the Year along with 1,200 other candidates from various Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the county.

“JD is an inspiration.  He works hard for his dreams and believes in himself and others.  Whatever he does he puts his whole heart into,” Boys & Girls Club Santa Clarita Valley CEO Matthew Nelson said.

“The best part is he always has a smile on his face when doing it.  The Club staff and I are proud to have him as our 2023 Youth of the Year.”

After his uncle died from a heart attack and his grandfather died from liver cancer, Lontok became passionate about helping others through medicine and is interested in pursuing a career in nursing upon entering college.

“These experiences have taught me the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and inspired me to help others through nursing,”  Lontok said.

“I’ve kept my promise to myself of making healthy choices and helping others by being involved in the Boys and Girls Club. At the Club, staff encourages me and others to make good choices, stay on track to graduate, and teach us skills we wouldn’t learn otherwise.”

To learn more about Lontok or the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley visit their website.

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