CECE CUZA-HOWARD

CeCe Cuza-Howard is a former Club member who was the Club’s 2008 Youth of the Year. A 2009 graduate of Ánimo Venice High School, CeCe is now a freshman at Tulane University. Through her involvement in the Club, she was able to attend a special writing camp at Stanford University, become a part of the Jr. Staff program, and receive college scholarships from the Wise Family Foundation, Venice Rotary Club and the KnockoutForGirls Scholarship Fund.  An outstanding poet, CeCe has written several odes to the Club.

A vignette from What the Club Means to Me…by CeCe Cuza-Howard

“Behind every storm there is a rainbow, Behind every action there is a feeling. Behind these boys and girls is a club, that doesn’t only promote growth, It promotes healing. When you’re found it’s easy to stand your ground…”

JONATHAN McNEAL

Jonathan is a senior at Venice High School where he is captain of the varsity football and basketball team. In addition to being a 3.8 student-athlete, Jonathan is an active member of the Boys & Girls Club of Venice where he participates in the Jr. Staff program, assists as volunteer referee and coach as well as has mentored middle school students in the Tomorrow’s Leaders program where he has been featured as guest speaker. His community service work has extended to several programs with Team TAG, including the Christmas Magic Team where he along with fellow Club teens walked the streets of Venice and the Venice boardwalk to hand out food and clothing to the homeless.

AXEL CORTEZ

Axel is a sixth grader at Broadway Elementary, and is very active in   several Club programs targeted to develop middle school students.   Axel is a graduate of the Passport to Manhood program, a member of Tomorrow’s Leaders, and very involved the Microsoft Club Tech Program. He, along with his sister, Karla attend the Club year-round participating in programs and activities during the school-year and summer break.