Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers

DIFFERENCE MAKERS—

Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley Youth of the Year award winners Ryan Aragones, left, and Arieanne McGuiness receive certificates from the city during the club's annual recognition luncheon on Friday. Ryan, 13, is an eighth-grader at Sinaloa Middle School and has been attending the club for three years. He serves as a junior leader, Torch Club president and is an active member of the Teen Dance Club. Arieanne, a senior a Royal High School, has been a club member since age 5. She coaches athletes with disabilities for the Special Olympics and is in her third year of volunteering at the Rancho Simi Park District.

JUST SAYING THANK-YOU— Youth of the Year award nominee Stevee Kassan, left, holds a handmade award to be presented to Union Bank of California for its sponsorship. Several individuals and businesses were honored during the evening for their continued support of the club.