Congratulations to Judson High School Honor Roll Student and Young Man Of Distinction Yamell Valencia on winning the 2009 "Mr. Teen San Antonio" title.

Yamell is the son of Jessica Allen and grandson of Cecilia and Samuel Allen. Yamell has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills as a member of Top Teens of America, NAACP Youth Council and Youth Board member in the Cherice Cochrane Mentoring Foundation.

An ESL (English as a Second Language) student from Panama, Yamell faced many challenges upon arriving in the United States, but soon mastered English in two short years and is now enrolled in regular and AP classes. Way to go, Yamell!

Yamell has a compassion for helping others and spends his free time mentoring and volunteering at the Eastside Boys and Girls Club. As his community service project, Yamell coordinated a service project entitled "Breakfast with Santa" for inner-city students at the Eastside Boys and Girls Club in December of 2008. He collected more than 100 books and toys for the children and dressed up as Santa for pictures.

For his tireless efforts, Yamell has received the President's Volunteer Service Award at the "Gold Level" and is a recent nominee for the United Way "Outstanding Youth" Mayor's Award.

Judson ISD, Top Teens of America, River City Chapter, the NAACP Youth Council and his family are proud of his accomplishments!

Please join the Cherice Cochrane Mentoring for Success Foundation, April 25 as we pay tribute to 20 outstanding high school young men and women, crown our "Mr. Teen San Antonio and "Mr. Teen Fiesta," recognize our "Outstanding Mentors," and award scholarships to deserving high school seniors

Call Claudette Lewis at 378-1268 for a Banquet Press kit or to reserve your tickets.