Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) honored General Robert E. Wood club member Nora Martinez, 17, as its 2012 Youth of the Year at an awards ceremony Monday night at the grand ballroom at Navy Pier. Martinez lovingly refers to the club located in South Lawndale as “My Little World,” the place that gave her support to achieve her goals in academics and athletics and inspired her to give back to her community.

During the speech competition, ten semi-finalists representing clubs throughout Chicago, shared their challenges, hopes and heartfelt experiences as BGCC members. In attendance were hundreds of local business and civic leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Honorary Chairman of the Corporate Board of Directors, delivered brief remarks praising the youth for their efforts.

BGCC gave Martinez a place to call her own, and taught her the value of service. She is currently the Vice President of the Keystone Club and volunteers for multiple service events in her community. Martinez has even hosted service events at her club and brought together a group of her friends to raise money for Children’s Memorial Hospital to treat children with cancer.

A student at Community Links High School, Martinez plays on her high school basketball team and enjoys teaching the importance of physical fitness to her peers. As BGCC Youth of the Year, Martinez will now have the opportunity to compete at the state, regional and national levels.