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Dylan's Story

Dylan Raiche-Snater, voted the 2008 Rochester Youth of the Year, age 16 and an eleventh-grader at Century High School in Rochester MN, has been a vital ingredient to the strength of his family.  He has accepted many responsibilities and tackled challenges throughout his life, making him the strong, mature, and responsible young adult that he is today.  Dylan has been a pillar of strength for his family, and this accomplishment has been made possible through personal tragedy and the role-modeling of his mother.

Dylan joined the club and became a very involved member seven years ago, as he thought the club was everything.  However, Dylan’s personal tragedy came when Dylan’s father was diagnosed with cancer.  It was quite an ordeal for this young club icon, and the tragedy continued.  At the age of thirteen, Dylan’s father succumbed to the complications of this dreaded disease, leaving Dylan without that male role model in the home to confide in.  The Boys & Girls Club helped Dylan to deal with his imposed insecurities, questions, and emotions.  The club taught Dylan about self-confidence and gave him hope and opportunity for a successful future, and he truly believed in the direction that the caring staff was taking him in.  Dylan eventually became interested in sports and extra-curricular activities and his life turned positive again.  He realized that the tragic disadvantage of losing a parent was not the end of own existence, but it was an opportunity for him to grow; he was just an average youth overcoming a terrifying obstacle, and The Boys & Girls Club was there to help.

Dylan had another solid role model at home, his mother, who is also a staff at the Club.  Living with a mother who is hard-working results in this young man’s wanting to do a quality job as well.  Dylan has taken the strength and tenacity necessary for human growth shown to him by his mother, and he has made it his own.  He is truly a young person to watch.

Overall, Dylan has been very blessed to have a loving family via his mom and the Club.  He has been a leader in his home, making contributions in every way possible, and he shows respect and love for his family for all that they have done for him.  He has been a responsible young man to his family, and this has allowed him to become a dependable and loving son.