What started as a way for an only child to connect with other children her age has become Marissa Martinez's passion.

She started attending programs at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club when she was 8 at the urging of her parents.

"They wanted me to interact with other kids because I was an only child, and they wanted me to have a fun place to go in the summer," Martinez, now 17, said. The high-school junior recently received the Boys & Girls Club's highest honor. She was named the New Mexico Youth of the Year, a title that comes with a $1,000 scholarship and a chance to compete against other students in the Southwest for the title of the Southwest Region Youth of the Year and another big scholarship. That competition will take place at the end of May in Dallas, Texas. She finds out June 2 whether she will be the Southwest Youth of the Year.

"I fee really honored and excited," Martinez said of her award. "It's kind of a big deal at the club."

Donald Christy, the executive director for the Pojoaque club, said if Marissa wins at regionals, she will receive an additional $45,000 to attend college and even if she doesn't win, she'll be bringing home at least a $20,000 scholarship.

"Last year (at regionals) they took up a collection and did a fundraiser at the banquet in Texas," Christy explained, adding that the money from those fundraisers totaled more than $200,000 and was earmarked for scholarships for all of the Youth of the Year winners competing in the regional contest. The winner receives an additional $25,000 scholarship, Christy said.

Martinez said her goals for the future include attending college in Colorado (her two choices are Colorado State University or the University of Denver), and later, dental school.

"Hopefully I will have my own (dental) practice," Martinez said, adding, "I just want to be able to make people smile."

Even though she will graduate in 2012 from Pojoaque Valley High School, she hopes she can always come back to the club.

"After I graduate, I'll come back home and still be involved in the club," Martinez said.

Christy said Marissa is "just an outstanding young lady in this community. Everything from her leadership abilities to her passionate work ethic with our kids is so special. Overall, the kids just love her."

After her time as a member of the club, Martinez then became an unpaid volunteer and worked her way up to become a Youth Leader. She is the president of the Keystone Club, which is the club's teenage leadership and community-service arm. During her time as the president, she has launched various projects, including organizing a team to help serve a Thanksgiving dinner, sending care packages to U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and raising funds for breast-cancer awareness.

Martinez is active at her school and recently returned from the New Mexico State High School track meet where she and her teammates placed third overall.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Family Career Community Leaders of America.

"Marissa and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people to be great," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of America in a news release.

What Martinez loves most about her involvement in the club is "being able to mentor the little kids and get involved in my community."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.