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2017 L.A. Harbor Youth of the Year Melanie Fontelera with BGCLAH Executive Director Mike Lansing.
Melanie Fontelera has been a member of the San Pedro Boys & Girls Club for the past three years. She was recently announced as the 2017 Youth of the Year for the Los Angeles Harbor.
Melanie describes herself as bold, compassionate and ambitious while hoping to “always carry these aspects and influence the minds of my generation to be the future and encourage next generations to maintain that positive future.”
Melanie is a senior at San Pedro High School and plans to become an attorney. Despite hardships in her home life, Melanie has maintained a 3.8 GPA in the SAS/Honors programs, is on the Principal’s Honor Roll, received a Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Eric Garcetti, and is a member of the American Red Cross and the Italian Club. Throughout her high school years she has gone from “that shy and timid girl and is now that confident and carefree girl that encourages people to become members to gain an experience that they will never get anywhere else.”
In addition to her academic success, she has also excelled in her community. Through the Boys & Girls Club, she hopes to “gain more momentum in encouraging others to gain new positive attributes and use their voice because it is limitless.” In just three years as a Club member, she has become president of the Keystone Leadership Program, an active member of College Bound, volunteers 30-40 hours per week during the Summer Camp, participates as a Leader in Training and serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council.
Melanie hopes to attend a four year university, followed by law school.