Laura Ambriz, who spent her early years in a sleepy town of 200 people in Michoacan, Mexico, never thought she would make it through high school. She didn't see much of a future for herself outside of the small restaurant kitchen where her parents worked after immigrating to Chicago, and where she spent most days because they couldn't afford child care.
But Ambriz, 17, couldn’t believe her eyes when she was named the 2015 Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago's Youth of the Year on Tuesday night, winning $2,000 in scholarships and a flight to visit the college of her choice. She shared her story with more than 1,000 people at a dinner at Chicago's Navy Pier.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for making this dream possible for me," Ambriz said. The girl was nominated by clubs across the city. Each had a story of struggles, but the organization’s aim is to help them overcome their troubles.
"We are in those areas of need that are challenged by unemployment, where economic levels aren't quite as high, household incomes are lower" Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago CEO James Keane said. "The club is a safe place to come where they can get away from the streets and be active in very productive things."
All Chicago Youth of the Year finalists received a new laptop and a $1,000 scholarship. Ambriz won an additional $1,000 and two round-trip plane tickets to visit a college. Ambriz hasn't yet chosen which school to visit but said she's interested in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Michigan State University.
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