When Island finalists for the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition arrived in Anaheim, Calif., in past years, they were enthusiastic, entertaining, open and friendly. However they never won the coveted prize. They simply lacked polish, said Umma Kayvalyam, co-chairwoman for the Youth Academy, a volunteer arm of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai'i Alliance. Their speeches were a bit homespun and their clothes — well, let's just say they were far from professional.

Enter the alliance, a group of young professionals who actively volunteer to help the Youth of the Year candidates. They created the Youth of the Year Academy, a series of fun and challenging workshops designed to prepare the candidates to shine. The alliance, consisting mainly of men and women in their 30s, assists the teens through an overnight in the mountains at Winner's Camp, personal training, public-speaking coaching with Toastmasters and a dress for success workshop at Macy's.

All in all, the academy offers seven weeks of preparation. "When they first come, they're so shy and introverted in so many ways and when you see them develop you see poise, confidence and they can even speak in public without being shy. It's amazing," said Kayvalyam.

We tagged along with seven hopefuls as they visited Macy's for advice on hair, makeup and apparel. It was an opportunity to get a little background on a few of the teens.

Lisa George, Macy's personal shopper, gave a presentation on how to dress for an interview. Lorna Mottas, a Clinique representative, offered tips on makeup while the Macy's hair team spritzed and gelled the teens' hair into sleek or sassy 'dos.

GAINING POISE

In an interview before her "makeover," Chezlani Crystal Lee, 16, of 'Ewa Beach, a sophomore at Campbell High School, said the Boys & Girls Club (she goes to the Hale Pono Clubhouse) and its academy have helped her "go back to my old self, be comfortable meeting new people, take more responsibility, do good in school, have more respect for people.

"A few years ago I didn't have my mom around, 'cause she had multiple jobs and was going to college. I felt like she didn't love us 'cause she wasn't around. I acted out in school. I wouldn't smile as much or talk in class or participate."

Lee said she usually wears "basketball shorts and whatever T-shirt I can find." She added, "I don't usually shop in the mall; I usually shop at Wal-Mart and Kmart."

By choosing the right clothes for her interview and speech, she hopes to gain even more confidence. Her goal is to attend community college, then go on to a four-year institution and to eventually become an English teacher. "Once I get myself out there, I'll do good," she said, with well-earned pride.

'TRY ANYTHING'

Linda Leifi, 16, of 'Ewa Beach, also a sophomore at Campbell High School, has been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs since fifth grade. An athlete (mainly basketball and volleyball), she usually wears capris or long pants with an oversized school uniform T-shirt. Before her "makeover," she expressed a willingness to "try anything.

"I felt kinda nervous at first ... because the competition is kinda like pressure, but I'll get the hang of it," she said with a chuckle. "I want to apply for college 'cause I want to become a pediatric nurse. I love kids. I like taking care of their health."

This year, three of the finalists are from Kaua'i, while last year Benjie Baclig, 17, a junior at Waimea High School, was the only one from the Garden Isle. He is competing for a second year because he enjoyed it, and it helped his public speaking.

"In school, I'm class president, so I have to speak in front of a large group, like 200 to 300 people," Baclig said. His goal is to attend Harvard, majoring in psychology, chemical engineering or computer science.

While he usually wears baggy jeans or surf shorts and a school uniform T-shirt, he obviously enjoyed wearing suit and tie.

A CLUB SUCCESS STORY

Last year's Youth of the Year winner, Kanani Santos, 17, of Wai'anae, tells her story with sincerity and passion: "I hated school, and I probably would have been pregnant by now." When she was 14, her mother left her to move in with her boyfriend. She became a foster child to Allene Uesugi.

Initially, Uesugi said, Santos was a handful. "She had a lot of baggage and things she needed to express. Her social skills were almost nil. She was a magnet for fights and getting into trouble. I tried to get her to expel all this negativity" by taking her to the Boys & Girls Club in Wai'anae.

"When I left her there, at first it was, 'Hey, get me outta here, but I didn't give her a bus pass or money, so she had to stick it out. I was hoping she could connect with the staff and she did; then I couldn't pry her away."

Santos bonded with one staff member in particular, Bertina Hu: "No matter how much attitude I gave, she always was there for me," Santos said.

Now the senior at Wai'anae High School hopes to attend nursing school at Hawai'i Pacific University.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.