Meet Ricardo H.

East Club teen is Toledo Youth of the Year and Carson Scholar

Ricardo H., a recent graduate of Waite High School, is the Toledo Youth of the Year and a Carson Scholar.

Originally from Mexico, Ricardo moved to Toledo at age 7 and joined the East Toledo Club shortly after. He is part of the Clubs’ TEC Teens (Teen Employment Corps), has received the Young Leadership Award, and volunteers with Barefoot at the Beach and the Ronald McDonald House.

He credits the Clubs for helping him learn the English language and overcome the anxiety and stress he felt over the language barrier.

“I remember the staff being so welcoming and affectionate,” he said in a speech describing his introduction to the Boys & Girls Clubs. “Right away, I felt like I could fit in. I remember many staff that impacted my life throughout the years. I made friends who helped translate for me and, still to this day, I am grateful for that. I would go to the Club every day from the time it opened to the time it closed, and while I played, I got the chance to learn more of this difficult language.”

He ultimately became the first bilingual member of his family, achieving the Bill of Biliteracy at Waite.

“The Clubs developed me into a well-rounded individual, and I want any kid out there that is suffering through issues of not knowing English or mental health that the Clubs are a place of learning and empowering,” Ricardo said. “They are here to help and provide support. Because all it takes is for someone to believe in them and listen. My mentors believed in me, and because of their belief, I started believing in myself.”

Ricardo’s speech led him to be named state runner-up in the Youth of the Year experience.

At Waite, he captained the soccer team and was named first-team All-City League in defense. While taking Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus courses, he regularly appeared on the honor roll and principal’s list. He was a member of Razas Unidas, the Spanish Club and the cross-country team. He also took part in Upward Bound at Lourdes University.

Ricardo is active in his community as well, volunteering through his church at St. Peter and St. Paul Festival. Through the Toledo Labre Project, he made and served food to people in need and helped clean up the community and around the Lourdes University campus.

Ricardo plans to major in social work at the University of Toledo, where he was accepted into the Jessup Scott Honors College.