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Four low-income teenagers told stories of persevering against hardship in a recent "Youth of the Year" speech competition at the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula.

High school senior Ruben Ruvalcaba of East Palo Alto said he learned the value of hard work from his father, a sanitation worker, who "has endured many trials, misfortunes and difficult conditions."

Raised by a single mother, student Rossmeri Ramirez said she aims to refute stereotypes that low-income people are "uneducated and irresponsible."

"Being in a low-income household has impacted my life in many ways, but I do not let this label define me," Ramirez said.

The two were among four finalists who spoke before families, friends and supporters in a festive "Youth of the Year" celebration at the club's East Palo Alto clubhouse Friday, Jan. 27.

Ruvalcaba, a student at Eastside College Prep, was chosen by a group of five judges to represent the local Boys & Girls Club as the competition advances to northern California, and later to the national level.

"I'd much rather listen to these kids talk all night than the candidates for President," said former Macromedia CEO Rob Burgess, a member of the judging panel.

Other judges were Legacy Venture founder Chris Eyre; Survey Monkey CEO Dave Goldberg; former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and East Palo Alto Mayor Laura Martinez.

"Youth of the Year" contestants were evaluated on their resilience, accomplishments and how well they represent the values of the Boys & Girls Club.

"It's not just about who gets selected -- it's about the whole process," said Peter Fortenbaugh, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, an after-school home for K-12 children in East Palo Alto, eastern Menlo Park and Redwood City.

"This is not a zero-sum game," he said.

The local club served more than 1,600 children last year in 12 venues, including nine school sites in East Palo Alto, eastern Menlo Park and Redwood City.

Ramirez told several hundred audience members that many low-income children "feel they need to get a job at an early age and contribute to the household duties.

"Despite my current success, early in my academic career I fell into the traps set in communities like mine," she said.

"School was a place I resented, education something I rejected.

"Recognizing this behavior was an important first step in overcoming the stereotype I was in danger of falling victim to. With the help of my family and mentors I now embrace the importance of education."

Ruvalcaba recalled his mother cooking breakfast for his father at 2:45 a.m. when he had to get up for his job at GreenWaste.

"He used his experiences to become a great role model and parent," he said.

"I look to him for best practices, behaviors and actions for my own life. He assured me this is not the American way or the Mexican way, but this was the Ruvalcaba way."

Finalist Bernardo Quevedo, an East Palo Alto resident and junior at Menlo-Atherton High School, described the influence of his godfather, Gabriel Rodriguez, and his stepfather, Jorge Barajas.

They "taught me that blood relation does not define family; that a godfather, stepfather or even a coach can become family," Quevedo said.

Finalist Tajianna Robinson, a junior at Sacred Heart Prep, recounted her experiences at the Boys & Girls Club, saying staff members have offered advice and guidance even when she did not want it.

"I've had my share of challenges, but who hasn't?" Robinson said. "No matter what happens in my life, someone else will always have a more difficult challenge, and there is always something I can do to help."

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