Boys Town North Florida recently hosted a royal celebration honoring the youth in the Family Home Program and welcomed 20 youth as official Boys Town Citizens. The evening's theme, "Crowns and Courage," highlighted the strength, perseverance and achievements of the remarkable youth served by Boys Town.
The venue was transformed into a regal setting thanks to the creativity and generosity of Boys Town North Florida supporter Carrie Venclauskas, who decorated the room with elegant crowns, royal centerpieces and beautifully arranged tables fit for kings and queens. A special guest for the evening was Michael Venclauskas, a Boys Town alumnus whose inspiring journey served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of the Boys Town mission.
The celebration began long before guests arrived. Thanks to the generosity of Haute Headz Salon and World Class Academy of Beauty, each female youth received complimentary hair and beauty services. Formals by Vince provided tuxedo rentals for all male youth, ensuring everyone looked their very best for the occasion. Adding to the excitement, Mike's Limousine provided transportation for youth and Family-Teachers, allowing everyone to arrive together in style. As each youth stepped onto the red carpet, DJ Chelsea with Amplify enthusiastically introduced the evening's royal guests, creating a memorable and confidence-building experience for all.
After enjoying a delicious dinner and refreshments generously donated by Coca-Cola, guests heard from special guest speaker Undersheriff Ron Cave of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Sharing his personal story, he offered words of encouragement, hope and inspiration that resonated with everyone in attendance.
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the awards presentation. Every youth received recognition for their unique strengths and accomplishments. Honors included awards such as Most Courageous, Most Considerate, Character Counts, Youth of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.
What made the ceremony truly unforgettable was the way the youth celebrated one another. Their genuine enthusiasm and support reflected the strong sense of community that exists within the Boys Town family. Community members, mentors, Board of Directors members, supporters and friends gathered together to recognize and uplift these deserving youth.
The evening concluded with an unforgettable dance party led by DJ Chelsea. As the celebration came to a close, everyone left with a sense of hope inspired by the resilience and achievements of Boys Town North Florida youth.
This special event would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated sponsors and community partners:
- Formals by Vince
- Courtney Wahl Photography
- Amplify
- Haute Headz Salon
- World Class Academy of Beauty
- Mike's Limousine
- Coca-Cola
- Leon County Sheriff's Office
- The Brodeur Family
- Dr. William and Joyce Simmons
- Carrie Venclauskas
- Hawkeye Marketing
Through their generosity, Boys Town North Florida was able to create a truly memorable evening celebrating the courage, character and bright futures of the youth we are honored to serve.
