Celebrating Avi Shah at the 2026 New Jersey Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, May 12th, the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton proudly attended the 2026 New Jersey Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony at Montclair State University. The evening was a celebration filled with powerful stories of leadership from exceptional young people across New Jersey. The event reflected the mission of the Boys & Girls Club — to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
We are proud to announce that Avi Shah, representing the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton as our 2026 Youth of the Year, was recognized as one of four finalists for the 2026 New Jersey Youth of the Year title.
Congratulations to Avi on this incredible achievement! Your hard work and dedication truly stand out, and this honor is so well deserved!
Avi has been a dedicated member of our Club for 11 years and a standout participant in our Aquatics Program. After completing all levels of swim instruction, he joined the Clifton Seahawks in 2016 and has shown incredible commitment ever since through daily training and competition.
In addition to competing at the Eastern Zone Age Group Championships and the National Boys & Girls Clubs Championships, Avi gives back to our community by volunteering at swim meets, supporting fundraisers, teaching younger swimmers, and serving as both a swim instructor and lifeguard.
Avi has also maintained a 4.5 GPA while balancing athletics, leadership, and work. His dedication has earned him acceptance into top universities including Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, and University of Michigan, and Rutgers University for engineering.
Avi truly represents the values of leadership, service, and excellence, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate him as our Youth of the Year!
Seahawks Swim Team Celebrates a Record-Breaking 2025–2026 Season at Awards Dinner
On Friday, May 1st, the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Seahawks Swim Team gathered with athletes, coaches, families, and supporters to celebrate an unforgettable 2025–2026 season at the annual Awards Dinner.
This season was nothing short of extraordinary, as the Seahawks broke 58 team records and continued to make their mark at the national level.
Team Record Breakers
The following swimmers were recognized for breaking team records during the season:
9–10 Age Group
- Nazar Antonyshyn
11–12 Age Group
- Madilyne Hackett
- Julianne Roldan
13–14 Age Group
- Olivia Chen
- Daniel Antonyshyn
- Marcelina Korszen
National Record Breakers
A special recognition was given to:
- Madilyne Hackett
- Daniel Antonyshyn
for breaking 2 Boys & Girls Club National Records this season.
Championship Highlights
The Seahawks continued to excel in top-level competition throughout the year:
- 1 swimmer qualified for Speedo Sectionals
- 9 swimmers competed at Eastern Zone Championships, where the team placed 16th out of 220 teams
- 40 swimmers competed at the Boys & Girls Club National Championship, earning an impressive 4th place team finish while breaking 2 National Records
Swim Marathon Winners
8 & Under
- 1st Place: Rylan Gorski
- 2nd Place: Quinn Cabassa
9–10
- 1st Place: Alistair Jiang
- 2nd Place: Philip Chen
11–12
- 1st Place: Madilyne Hackett
- 2nd Place: Alexandra & Jordan Lin
- 3rd Place: Aaron Morell
13 & Over
- 1st Place: Zachary Canion
- 2nd Place: Jaslene Lugo
- 3rd Place: Anastasia Danelia
Recognizing Our Coaches
- Head Coach Anna Abakumova
- Rattana Kidchob
- D’nard Robinson
- Julia Berkenbosch
- Samantha Berkenbosch
- Angelina Parra
- Frank Coste
- Anna Diaz
- Natalia Furman
Thank You to Our Officials & Volunteers
Officials
- Roman & Pavlo Chyshkevych
- Scott Canion
- Quasheema Lugo
- Nino Danelia
- Kevin Li
- Valerie Hackett
Parents Committee
- Valerie Hackett
Meet Managers
- Kate and Chris Hyde
- Pawel Drzymala
- Roman Chyshkevych
Farewell to Our Graduating Seniors
- Zachary Canion
- Ashaly Dominguez
- Danna Tapia
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you was extended to Aquatic Director Nadia Stavko for her ongoing support and encouragement throughout the season.
The evening also featured a delicious dinner generously hosted by Michele’s Restaurant, including Italian specialties, salads, desserts, and refreshments enjoyed by all attendees.
Congratulations to every swimmer, coach, parent, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this one of the most successful seasons in Seahawks history. The future of the program continues to shine bright.
Great Futures Gala 2026: A Night of Celebration and Impact
On April 16, 2026, we welcomed our community to The Valley Regency for our annual Great Futures Gala. The evening brought together supporters, students, educators, and partners to celebrate our Club youth and the relationships that make our work possible.
This year, we proudly honored the Clifton Board of Education and Corradino & Partners LLC for their lasting impact on the young people and families we serve.
Honoring Corradino & Partners LLC
We also recognized Corradino & Partners LLC for decades of dedication to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton and the broader community.
Their support has touched every part of our organization, from sponsoring events to providing essential resources like transportation, equipment, and holiday donations for our families. Their commitment extends throughout Clifton, supporting local organizations, schools, and families in meaningful ways.
Corradino & Partners continues to lead by example through consistent community involvement and generosity. We thank them for their enduring support of our mission and our Club kids.
View the C&P tribute video presented during the event here:
Honoring the Clifton Board of Education
For decades, the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton has partnered with Clifton Public Schools in a collaboration that supports students and working families across the city.
Together, we provide a safe, supportive environment for more than 600 young people in school-based programs each day, while also welcoming over 300 children to our main Clubhouse. For many, the Club is a natural extension of the school day where they build relationships, gain confidence, and feel a strong sense of belonging.
Through this partnership, we deliver programs focused on Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. We are proud to continue this work alongside the Clifton Board of Education and value the strength of this long-standing partnership.
View the Board of Ed tribute video presented during the event here:
A Night Led by Our Youth
The evening featured a performance by the Clifton High School Madrigals Choir, with vocalist Keyla Sanchez and Choral Director Leo Weismantel on keyboard.
Jaralyn Peralta led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem.
Avi Shah, our 2026 Youth of the Year, shared his story and introduced Corradino & Partners LLC alongside Club member Vihaan G. Jenna Alnatur, Clifton Board of Education Student Liaison, joined Club members Jade S. and Alani H. to recognize the Clifton Department of Education.
Community Support
We thank our sponsors who made the night possible including:
Presenting Sponsor – Corradino & Partners
Star Sponsor – Fette Auto & Valley Bank
Club Sponsor- Kearny Bank
Looking Ahead
The Great Futures Gala reflects the power of partnership and community. Together, we continue to create opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and succeed.
Celebrating Our 2026 Youth of the Year: Avi Shah
We are proud to recognize Avi Shah as our 2026 Youth of the Year!
Avi has been a dedicated member of the Boys & Girls Club for 11 years and a standout participant in our Aquatics Program. After completing all levels of swim lessons, he joined the Clifton Seahawks in 2016 and has shown unwavering commitment ever since—training daily and even on weekends.
His hard work has led to impressive achievements, including competing at the Eastern Zone Age Group Championships and the National Boys & Girls Clubs Championships. Beyond his personal success, Avi is a key contributor to our club community, volunteering at swim meets, supporting fundraisers, and teaching younger swimmers. As one of our top swim instructors and a lifeguard, he is known for his leadership, reliability, and genuine care for others.
Avi has also excelled academically, maintaining a 4.5 GPA while balancing athletics and work. His dedication has earned him acceptance into Princeton, Harvard, Yale, the University of Michigan, and Rutgers University for engineering.
Avi truly embodies leadership, service, and excellence. We are incredibly proud to celebrate him as our Youth of the Year!
Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Middle School Girls Basketball Team Caps Perfect Season with Championship Victory
Tenafly, NJ — March 14, 2026 — The Middle School Girls Basketball Team from the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton delivered a historic performance on Saturday morning, claiming the championship title and completing an undefeated 15–0 season. The finals and championship games, held at 11:00 a.m. at Tenafly Middle School, marked a milestone achievement for The Club’s athletics program.
Coached by Club alumni, the team demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the season. Their victory represents the first championship trophy added in a decade and only the second girls basketball banner to be hung in The Club’s gym.
“This team’s accomplishment goes far beyond wins and losses,” said Steven Lantigua, Athletics Coordinator. “From day one, I knew this team would be good, but I couldn’t have imagined a perfect 15–0 season. Going undefeated and finishing with a championship is incredibly difficult in any sport. I am extremely proud of everyone involved — the players, coaches, and parents. Watching these girls grow together, from teammates into a true family, is what being part of the Boys & Girls Club is all about.”
Gabe Blau, CEO, emphasized the broader impact of the team’s success: “Our girls brought home the trophy, cheered on by their club community. This team showed skill, talent, and integrity all season long, supporting each other through every high and low. This championship is not just about winning — it reflects the values we bring to the court and the bright futures we are building for our kids.”
Building on this momentum, The Club plans to expand its basketball programming, including launching a spring team and developing a year-round initiative focused on both athletic growth and character development.
Saturday’s victory was celebrated across The Club community, marking a proud and historic moment for the organization and the families it serves.
A Day of Leadership and Learning at the Future Leaders Summit
On Saturday, February 28, our Club Kids had an inspiring and empowering experience at the Future Leaders Summit at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County!
Throughout the day, members from our Club came together to connect with peers, share ideas, and grow as young leaders. The summit gave participants the opportunity to learn more about the Youth of the Year process, an important program that celebrates leadership, service, academic success, and strong character.
One of the highlights of the event was participating in engaging public speaking exercises. These activities encouraged our Club Kids to step outside their comfort zones, express their ideas with confidence, and support one another along the way. It was incredible to see their courage and growth as they practiced speaking in front of their peers.
Events like the Future Leaders Summit help empower our youth to believe in themselves, develop leadership skills, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. We are so proud of our Club Kids for showing enthusiasm, teamwork, and determination throughout the day!
The future is bright with leaders like these.
From Then to Now: Alumni Share the Impact of The Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQYVrHseQ28
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on where so many journeys begin—at The Club.
In our alumni video, former Club members look back on the moments, mentors, and experiences that helped shape who they are today. They share how The Club built their confidence, strengthened their skills, and showed them what was possible for their future.
For generations, The Club has been more than a place to go after school. It’s been a safe space to learn, grow, and discover potential—supported by caring staff and a community that believes in every child.
Your generosity ensures our Club kids continue to have the same strong foundation and opportunities to thrive. Together, we’re preparing tomorrow’s leaders—today.
Make your year-end gift here:
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/boys-and-girls-club-of-clifton/25-26--annual-campaign
A Morning of Magic: Holiday Breakfast with Santa
On Saturday, 12/13, our families gathered for a festive Holiday Breakfast with Santa, and it was a morning filled with laughter, fun, and holiday magic. Kids and parents alike had a blast playing bingo, musical chairs, and a lively game of red light, green light. One of the highlights was seeing parents jump in on the fun—especially during red light, green light—where one lucky parent won a prize for their child(ren)!
Everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast of bagels and Dunkin’ donuts, and the holiday spirit was definitely in the air. One excited child summed it up perfectly when he said, “It feels like Christmas already!” as he grabbed his donut and ran off to play.
We are incredibly grateful to DoorDash for their generous donation, which helped make this special celebration possible. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a joyful start to the holiday season—we can’t wait to do it again!
Exciting New Classes & Activities at The Club
With the launch of our newest classes and activities, our members are buzzing with excitement, confidence, and creativity. From Bucket Drumming to the delicious fun of Jr. Chef Cooking & Baking, from Homework Help & School Ready sessions to Latin Dance and Art Class, our kids are exploring new passions and discovering what they’re capable of.
What’s been most inspiring is how much the members genuinely love these opportunities. You can see it in the smiles, the focus, the laughter, and the pride they take in learning something new. These programs aren’t just classes—they’re spaces where kids feel supported, connected, and free to grow.
And this is only the beginning. With more classes coming soon, we’re committed to expanding what The Club offers so every young person can find something that excites them.
This growth is possible thanks to supporters like you.
Our Annual Campaign plays a vital role in sustaining and expanding programs just like these. When you support the campaign, you’re doing more than giving—you’re helping create opportunities, build confidence, and shape brighter futures for kids in our community.
Click here to support the Annual Campaign.
These classes matter—and your contribution helps make them happen.
Thank you for believing in our kids and for helping The Club continue to grow stronger every year.
Click here to learn more about our activities and classes.
