HAVERHILL - Leaders of the Haverhill Boys Club say it would be hard to imagine the club without Danny Gray.

Ever since he was 6 years old, Gray has been a regular at the club - volunteering, participating in sports and being a friend to other members.

Gray, 17, a junior at Haverhill Alternative School, will have to say goodbye to the club as a member once he graduates from high school.

But for now he can bask in the glory and bragging rights of having been named the club's Youth of the Year. It is a distinction bestowed annually on one boy who can be considered a model youth that all club members can look up to and emulate.

"The Haverhill Boys Club is a home away from home for me," Gray said. "It is a place that I grew up in and felt safe all the time."

Gray, a budding artist and photographer who has won numerous awards for his work, hopes to attend art school after high school. He said he developed a passion for those pursuits by taking art and photography lessons from Sharon Silverman, a local artist who teaches at the club.

"I learned photography from Sharon, and how to play basketball, pool, bumper pool and foosball from club staff members," Gray said. "I even learned how to set up a bank account and how to save for college. I always knew I wanted to be an artist, or an art teacher, and the Boys Club is helping me achieve that goal."

Brian Theirrien, activities coordinator for the Haverhill Boys Club, said Gray stood out as this year's Youth of the Year nominee because of all he does to help support the club's goal of guiding boys through their childhood and into their teenage years.

"He's always here with a helping hand and is always willing to volunteer to help train new staff members as well as help our club members," Theirrien said. "He's really matured over the years."

Whenever there is a club activity or event, such as the annual Thanksgiving turkey shoot or Christmas party, Gray is there to help set up and clean up. He can be found working at the club's booth at the annual downtown KidsFest each year, and whenever there is a community event such as the annual Rebuilding Day, sponsored by Rebuilding Together, Gray is there to help - as he did last year when he repainted walls and fences at the Citizens Center.

He also volunteers at his church, Sacred Hearts in Bradford. Gray is president of the Boys Club's Keystone Club, which focuses on community involvement, and is in the Alternative School's Peer Leadership program, where his responsibilities include tutoring other students and resolving conflicts among students.

A foster child since he was a youngster, Gray has lived with Bill and Karen LaPierre of Haverhill for the last 10 years. Gray says his foster parents have become an important part of his life and that they are equally involved in the Boys Club.

"They donate a lot of presents for our annual Christmas party," he said.

As Haverhill's Youth of the Year, Gray is eligible to compete for the state Boys Club Youth of the Year title and its $1,000 scholarship prize. If he wins that, he enters the competition for the regional title with a $10,000 scholarship, and from there would move on for a chance at the national title with its $15,000 scholarship and a chance to meet President Bush.

To compete at the state level, Gray had to submit a packet of information about his life and explain where home and family fit into his life, talk about his moral character, his community involvement, efforts he makes in school, service to the Boys Club and his goals in life.

"I learned at an early age that success comes with commitment and effort," Gray wrote in his application. "One of the best qualities that I have inherited from my parents is the desire to be involved in organizations in a leadership role. I believe that helping out helps me to be the best person I can be."





PG1 BOX

Danny Gray's adventure

His title: Haverhill Boys Club Youth of the Year

Chances at scholarship money: 1,000 if he wins the state Youth of the Year title; $10,000 if he wins the regional title; and $15,000 if he wins the national title.

Presidential visit: If he wins the national title, he will also meet President Bush.