MILFORD – Marrissa Allen was named the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s Norman Adams Youth of the Year during an awards ceremony in the club’s Amato Center last week.

Allen, a senior at Mil­ford High School and a club member for eight years, said it is not only a place to have fun, it also gave her a "no-judgment zone," a safe space where she could be comfortable.

"Working with kids helped me to get over so many insecurities," she told the audience. "When I see a child who doesn’t speak up, I make a point of talking to them. I am stronger, more confident. I will be forever grateful."

Other awards presented were:

• Abby Forrence was named Community Cham­pion for encouraging healthy lifestyles with the Fuel-Up to Play 60 club.
• Ciardelli Fuel Co., Civic Supporter of the Year.
• Chuck Barker, Volun­teer of the Year.
• Staff members Sean Costello, Robin LaCroix and Bob McIlvaine were recognized for their dedi­cation to the club.

Before the awards an­nouncements, past Youth of the Year recipients were shown on video ex­plaining how the club had made them kinder, more compassionate and open-minded, and allowed them to forget their self-consciousness and focus on others.

– KATHY CLEVELAND