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SALT LAKE CITY — Come fall, Daniel Patino plans to study business and musical engineering at Weber State University.
Patino, 18, is a senior at Layton High School on schedule to graduate with his class with a GPA of 3.7. A year ago, that outcome wasn't such a sure thing. An unintentional overdose forced him to examine his priorities, which are now his family, investing in his future and giving back to the community.
Before that event, Patino said, "I was involved (in school, activities and service work) but I wasn't very enthusiastic about it.
I was involved (in school, activities and service work) but I wasn't very enthusiastic about it. After that, I started enjoying it and getting something out of it and really progressing in my life.
–Daniel Patino
"After that, I started enjoying it and getting something out of it and really progressing in my life."
On Thursday, Patino's triumph over adversity was acknowledged when he was honored as 2011 Utah Youth of the Year. The Utah Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs presented the award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship, during a ceremony at the state Capitol.
Patino, a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Weber-Davis, became involved with the program through Upward Bound, a WSU program that encourages potential first-generation college students from low-income families to attend the university.
He also has been a member of the Teen Keystone Club, participated in Boy Scouts, debate and high school band. He has performed a number of community service projects such as collecting food for the homeless, leveling grave stones at Ogden City Cemetery and has assembled hygiene kits for youth in juvenile detention.
Patino also works part-time job at a take-out pizza restaurant to earn money for college.
Other finalists for "Youth of the Year" included:
- Brigham City - Sebastian Smith, freshman at Weber State University
- Dugway - Amy Webster, sophomore at Dugway High School
- Hill Air Force Base - Alex Earl, freshman at North Layton Junior High School
- Salt Lake City - Alicia Howard, senior at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center
- South Valley - Steven Guzman, junior at Hillcrest High School
- Utah County - Amanda Van Wagenen, senior at Walden School of Liberal Arts
E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com
