Boys Town Louisiana to host third annual “Spirit of Youth” Awards honoring the local youth and their life skill achievements

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – Boys Town Louisiana is proud to announce its third annual “Spirit of Youth” Awards, a special event dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary achievements of youth in their residential programs. This impactful evening will also honor community members and leaders who embody the mission and values of Boys Town Louisiana.

The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at The Barnett in New Orleans. The event begins at 6 p.m and will include a musical performance by Marley Marsalis, presentation of awards and seated dinner. Additionally, Boys Town Louisiana will be honoring Judge Ranord Darensburg for his outstanding contributions to juvenile justice. With over 25 years as an attorney and social worker, Judge Darensburg has dedicated his career to improving the lives of youth in New Orleans. Since joining the New Orleans Juvenile Court in 2021, he has been a driving force in improving court services and operations. His experience includes roles as Judicial Administrator, Judge Pro Tempore and Outreach Coordinator, reflecting his deep commitment to justice and community service. His dedication to bettering the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court and his impactful work demonstrate his diligent commitment to youth and community.

“The Spirit of Youth Awards celebrate not just the achievements of our youth but the collective strength of our community. Each success story is a testament to the power of support, compassion, and unwavering belief in a brighter future. Together, we are not just changing lives; we are igniting hope and paving the way for a generation to thrive," says Rashain Carriere, the Executive Director of Boys Town Louisiana.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit 2024Spirit.givesmart.com.

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About Boys Town Louisiana
For over a century, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of America's children and families through innovative youth, research, and healthcare programs. Boys Town Louisiana opened in 1989, and today meets the needs of youth and families through a variety of Continuum of Care® services. The site offers Diagnostic and Assessment Services to provide immediate help to youth in dangerous situations. The site has three Family Homes for Adolescents in New Orleans and provides In-Home Family Services to troubled families. Nearly 800 children were served and impacted by Boys Town Louisiana services in 2023.​ You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.boystown.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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