‘It means the absolute world to me’: Meet Fall River’s 2022 Youth of the Year
FALL RIVER — A senior at B.M.C Durfee High School is the city’s Youth of the Year, a recognition she earned through her commitment to community advocacy and academic achievement.
“It means the absolute world to me,” Soleei Guasp said after accepting the award. “I’m never going to forget where I’m from. I’m proud to be from Fall River.”
Guasp was one of nine finalists for the honor, along with other students from Durfee, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School and Atlantis Charter School. Students are nominated by an adult in their lives and then go through an application process, which includes an essay and interview with judges.
“Youth were nominated based on their accomplishments in 2021 in the areas of: personal achievement, leadership abilities, healthy living and/or community involvement. The essay required the youth to explain why “you matter” by talking about the positive attributes and characteristics that make them unique and the reason why the world is a better place because they are in it,” according to a press release from Mayor Paul Coogan’s office.
On Wednesday, the nine finalists were honored at a ceremony to reveal the winner. Andrew Rebello, principal at Diman, congratulated the students on being nominated in the first place.
“You’re entering a fraternity of individuals who have gone on to do great things,” he said.
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