Enrique Rosario Liz, a Port St. Lucie teenager named Youth of the Year for the Southeast Region of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, was surprised Friday at the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County in Fort Pierce with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He will serve as one of 12 club members from across the country selected to be an official Coca-Cola flag bearer at the FIFA World Cup finals on July 19. The surprise came courtesy of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their partnership with the Coca-Cola Company. When the box containing the news was walked into the room surrounded by fellow club members, his reaction was immediate. "I mean, this is so insane," Rosario Liz said. Along with the trip, he also received official gear inside the box.
Rosario Liz had already been juggling a packed summer, preparing for move-in at the University of Florida and an internship, but said the World Cup had been on his mind. "My time is really being taken up by the World Cup right now, forcing my parents to watch every game," Rosario Liz said. He credited the Boys & Girls Club with shaping who he has become as a leader. "The club really helped me to find what my leadership style was going to be, and really redefined what my definition of leadership was," Rosario Liz said. The recognition as a flag bearer comes after his selection as Youth of the Year for the Southeast Region, one of the highest honors given by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
As one of only 12 club members chosen nationally for this role, Rosario Liz will represent not only his local club in St. Lucie County but also youth organizations across the country at the World Cup finals. "The Boys & Girls Clubs has been my everything," he said. He closed with a message for younger members at the club. "Please stay with your Boys & Girls Clubs, because one day I want to see each and every one of you in the same position that I am in right now," Rosario Liz said.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the Port St. Lucie teen as he prepares to transition to college life at the University of Florida while taking on this prestigious international role at the World Cup finals. The opportunity showcases the impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs program on young leaders and highlights the partnership between the youth organization and the Coca-Cola Company in providing exceptional experiences for outstanding club members.