Rauzilin O., a senior at Central Catholic High School and longtime member of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, has spent years growing up within the Club’s walls — building friendships, finding mentors, and discovering the confidence to pursue her goals. This year, that journey led to one of the Club’s highest honors.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence’s ceremony, Rauzilin was named the Club’s 2026 Youth of the Year, a title awarded to a member who demonstrates leadership, service, academic commitment, and a dedication to their community.
The moment meant more to her than anyone in the room may have realized.
Just weeks earlier, Rauzilin had nearly talked herself out of applying. She had convinced herself she wouldn’t win and that there was no point in trying. But the staff members who knew her best saw something she struggled to see in herself: resilience, heart, leadership, and a deep desire to lift others up.
They encouraged her to apply, reminding her that every young person’s journey is special and unique in its own way — and that her story deserved to be shared. One of those staff members was Manny Sanchez, who pushed her to believe in herself and take the chance.
After being selected as Youth of the Year, Rauzilin couldn’t wait to find Manny. When she did, she hugged him and cried. In that moment, she learned something life-changing: you can’t let fear make the decision for you, because you never know what can happen when you choose to believe in yourself and take the chance.
“I learned to stop being so scared,” she said. “I shouldn’t let other people’s achievements hold me back.”
Rauzilin’s journey reflects the power of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence to help young people believe in themselves, grow into their strengths, and reach their full potential.
A Second Home
Rauzilin first came to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence when she was nine years old after seeing her older brother become involved. Her mother initially hesitated, but after meeting the staff and seeing the environment the Club created for young people, she felt comfortable letting Rauzilin join.
What started as a place to spend time after school quickly became something much more meaningful.
“This place is my second home,” Rauzilin shared. “When I wanted to take my mind off things, I would come here. It became my safe place.”
Raised in Lawrence by her mother alongside her three brothers, Rauzilin says growing up wasn’t always easy. As the only girl in her family and without a consistent father figure in her life, she often felt different from many of the kids around her. At a young age, she learned to carry a lot on her own while trying to stay focused on school and her goals.
At the Club, she found something she didn’t always realize she needed — a community of people who showed up for her.
Over time, Rauzilin built strong relationships with staff members who encouraged her, pushed her to grow, and supported her during some of the most difficult moments in her life. Staff members like Stephanie, Chris, Manny Sanchez, Manny Ayala, Amanda, and Coach Kelly helped guide her both on and off the court.
When Rauzilin experienced the loss of her grandmother, some of the first people she opened up to were Club staff members.
“They told me it was okay to talk about my feelings instead of bottling them up,” she said.
Their encouragement helped her begin to see that she didn’t have to face life’s challenges alone.
More Than Just a Club
One of the moments that changed Rauzilin’s experience at the Club came in fourth grade when Stephanie encouraged her to join the basketball team.
Before that, Rauzilin mainly came to the Club to spend time with friends. But getting involved in sports helped her build confidence and feel more connected to the community around her.
“That’s when I realized they wanted to involve me more,” she said. “She helped me get comfortable with my surroundings and taught me it’s more than just a club. It’s family.”
Sports became an important part of Rauzilin’s experience at the Club. Through basketball and volleyball, she learned discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. More importantly, she developed relationships with staff members who pushed her to believe in herself even when she doubted her abilities.
Coach Kelly encouraged her when she felt like giving up. Manny Sanchez helped her open up during difficult times. Amanda encouraged her to become more involved in her community and think about the impact she could have on others.
Each of those relationships helped shape the young leader Rauzilin has become.
Learning the Power of Giving Back
As Rauzilin grew older, her involvement at the Club expanded beyond sports.
She began working summers at BGCL and volunteering in the community. One experience that left a lasting impact was volunteering with TMF, an organization that feeds people experiencing homelessness throughout Lawrence.
That experience changed the way she thought about service.
“It helped me see that I could give back to the community that was giving me so much,” she said.
Through volunteering, Rauzilin became even more aware of the challenges some people in her community face and the importance of showing up for others whenever you can.
Those experiences strengthened her desire to support others and remain involved in the community that helped shape her.
Opening Doors to Opportunity
The support Rauzilin found at the Club also played a major role in shaping her academic journey.
With encouragement from BGCL staff, she applied for the Montagna Scholarship, which helped make it possible for her to attend Central Catholic High School. Staff members helped her revise essays, encouraged her to share her story honestly, and supported both her and her mother throughout the process.
Attending Central Catholic opened new doors for Rauzilin academically and personally. Surrounded by students from different communities and backgrounds, she gained a broader perspective on the world and developed the discipline needed to pursue her goals.
In the fall, Rauzilin will attend Messina College at Boston College, where she plans to study psychology and human development.
She credits the Club with helping her develop the skills she needed to reach that point — especially time management, discipline, and perseverance.
“They taught me that time management is key in all aspects of life,” she said.
Representing Lawrence as Youth of the Year
As Youth of the Year, Rauzilin hopes to represent not only the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, but also the city she calls home.
“When people think of Lawrence, they think of the negative,” she said. “I want to show people there’s good that comes out of Lawrence.”
Her message to younger Club members is simple: believe in yourself, take the opportunities in front of you, and don’t let fear stop you from trying.
Looking ahead, Rauzilin hopes to pursue a career in government, with aspirations of working for the FBI, DEA, or CIA. Her interest in criminal justice and psychology comes from a desire to help people and become someone others can rely on in difficult moments.
At the same time, she hopes to remain deeply connected to Lawrence and the community that helped shape her.
One idea she hopes to bring to life is a community event that brings local organizations together — including the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Lawrence YMCA, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts, and other Lawrence-based community groups — to create a day where families can connect with resources, organizations can collaborate, and the community can come together as one.
Rauzilin’s Journey Continues
Rauzilin will now go on to represent the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence in the next level of the 2026 Youth of the Year competition.
For her and her family, this opportunity means much more than recognition. If she advances to the national level and wins, the scholarship that accompanies the title could help ease the financial burden of college — something Rauzilin knows would make a meaningful difference for her family.
Raised by a single mother who has worked tirelessly to support Rauzilin and her three brothers, she understands how much that opportunity could help. With her younger brother potentially attending a private high school in the coming years, the scholarship would help relieve some of that financial pressure while allowing Rauzilin to continue pursuing her education.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence gave Rauzilin more than a place to belong — it gave her the guidance, encouragement, and opportunities that helped shape the person she is becoming.
As she continues her journey, Rauzilin carries with her the lessons, mentorship, and encouragement she gained from the Club and is ready to step into her future with a deeper belief in herself and a strong sense of purpose.