The tenth annual Youth of the Year Awards were presented to six finalists and the winner at Mesa 21 on May 30, 2017. The award is presented every year by Partners and the Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Task Force to recognize youth who have demonstrated positive achievements and and have given back to the community. Judges and nominators were on hand as co-chairs Fall River Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey and Greater Fall River Re-Creation Program Coordinator Annemarie Holly who read statements from each of the finalists on the theme of "Make It in Fall River", the City's new slogan. Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia spoke for about fifteen minutes on the significance of the slogan in one's personal life and at the community level. The Mayor was the recipient of the Award in 2009. Durfee student Eleane Lema was selected as this year's Youth of the Year, and her name will be added to the plaque that resides at Government Center for all to see. Click here for a 23-minute video of the event. For more information, contact Christian McCloskey at 508-982-4297 or Annemarie Holly at 508-679-0922.

(Top row) Christian and Annemarie welcome Lee LeBlanc Corrigan of Citizens for Citizens Teen Pregnancy Pevention, one of the judges who then greets fellow judge Sgt. Jason Pacheco of the Fall River Police Department while he talks with Ray Gove of YouthBuild. (Row two) Mayor Jasiel Correia II greets those gathered before speaking with Annemarie and Christian about the program. (Row three) Annemarie begins the award presentations after speaking with Durfee High School history teacher Michael Costa who nominated finalist John Paul McDonald seated across from him. (Row four) The Mayor stands next finalists Yasnerris Torres, Jessica Miranda,John Paul McDonald, Christina Devoe-Hood, Isabella Connors and winner Eleane Lema who poses for photos with Annemarie. (Bottom row) Eleane is congratulated by Fall River School Superintendent Dr. Matthew Malone before posing for a photo with him.