2026 Awardee – Yordy Perez Dominguez – Tooele High School HS

Say it Out Loud

There are stories we tell the world, and there are stories we keep to ourselves. Each of us carries experiences that shape who we are, even when we don’t speak them aloud. I was raped. This is a statement that I’ve only recently learned to say out loud—not because it defines me, but because denying it did.

My first instinct was to keep it to myself. Nobody could judge me, look at me differently, or tell me how to grieve if they didn’t know. In retrospect, that instinct wasn’t effective at all. The abuse kept happening, and I trained myself not to tell anyone. Over time, I believed it was my fault—that my silence somehow made me responsible. So I said nothing, and it just continued. The pain built up until, finally, I told my family. I’ll never forget the way everyone froze. My grandma looked me up and down and asked me to repeat what I had said. She looked mortified, completely caught off guard. She couldn’t believe that at just 12, I could be going through such agony. For years afterward, I carried that pain like a shadow, pretending it wasn’t there. I felt detached from the world and myself. Trusting others felt impossible, and I learned to build walls instead of connections. I told myself I was fine because silence was easier than explaining my battle—but silence only made the pain louder. In the end, I realized I needed something to ground me—to remind me that even in brokenness, I still belonged.

I then decided to join the Boys and Girls Club, determined to remove the walls that I had built up by surrounding myself with people who shared my enthusiasm for community and belonging. However, in 2020 everything changed. The Club temporarily closed and everything moved online. These virtual sessions helped thousands of kids stay connected, but during that time I felt the loss of everything I loved about being there—serving our community through programs like Torch Club and the moments with everyone that made me feel like I belonged. When the Club reopened, I found comfort in being able to enjoy everything again. As time went on, I joined many more programs that taught me distinct lessons. Some were simple, some repetitive, but each significant. The lesson that stayed with me most was from a program called All 4 You—a program centered on consent, awareness, and the importance of protecting yourself and others—because it reminded me that growth can happen quietly even when we don’t realize it.

As I participated in All 4 You, I found myself facing something deeply personal. At first, I was hesitant—the topic touched a part of me I had long kept buried. Discussing boundaries and safety felt less like learning and more like reopening an old wound I had worked hard to hide. Yet, under the guidance of my Teen Program Director, Tauna, I began to understand that speaking about these things wasn’t reopening my wound—it was redefining it. Through All 4 You, I learned that healing doesn’t mean forgetting what hurt you; it means finding the strength to face it, to take ownership of your story, and to use that strength to protect both yourself and others.

All 4 You taught me that consent isn’t just about saying no; it’s about knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and understanding that your body and choices are your own. I began to see my experiences in a new light, turning my pain into purpose. As a result, because of the program, I became more confident, participating in community service, speaking up during discussions, and encouraging others to share their voices. Over time, the Club became a place where I didn’t just belong—I contributed—and that sense of responsibility planted the seed of leadership in me. Building on that growth, this passion for using my voice led to an internship with TurnUp, a youth-led organization focused on civic engagement and social justice, where I work on campaigns empowering young people and advocating for civil protections and consent education. Ultimately, as a survivor, I’ve learned that my story can inspire awareness, promote safety, and remind others that healing and strength are possible.

 

There are still stories I keep to myself, pieces of pain that my words can’t yet hold—but I no longer carry them in silence. Healing, I’ve learned, isn’t about forgetting pain or the past; it’s about forgiving myself for surviving and finding strength in what remains. The Club, TurnUp, and especially the All 4 You program taught me that safety, empathy, and empowerment are not just ideas—they’re actions that can change lives. I no longer see my past as something to hide but proof of resilience. I am not what happened to me; I am what I’ve chosen to become. I am someone determined to make sure no one ever feels as powerless as I once did. The Club didn’t just give me a home; it gave me the courage to speak, to lead, and to turn my story into strength.