Junely Grullon

Junely, 15,  is a rising junior at Nashua South High School. She was officially designated as a Teen Leader at the PAL Youth Safe Haven on Ash St. when she was 12 years old, technically still a pre-teen, and has thrived in that role. Longtime PAL Program Coordinator Jaela Solis describes her as a “strong leader” of the after-school program.

Junely is a repeat recipient of the Junior PAL of the Year award, having also received the honor in 2016 at age 10, alongside Gate City native and PAL of the Year Mike O’Malley, the noted actor, writer, producer.

At PAL, she is always the first one to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it. Junely always steps up and pitches in to help PAL staff and volunteers with programs, preparing snacks, and taking on other tasks. Junely is bilingual and assists the PAL staff by translating for parents and new PAL members, giving them tours, answering questions, and going over the PAL rules governing behavior and interacting with other members and staff at the Youth Safe Haven. She even manages the Youth Safe Haven reception desk a few days a week to welcome PAL youth members and help them get checked in and settled down to homework before recreation activities. Her openness, acceptance of others, and welcoming nature make her a pleasure to have both in the building and away on field trips and excursions.

At home, Junely helps to look after and care for her younger brother. She has become an avid reader of late and has read over 50 books this year, and aspires to a professional career as a physician or attorney.

Program Coordinator Solis sums up Junely’s time at PAL in this way: “Junely makes my heart smile. I can count on her to step into any leadership role to make a positive contribution and set an excellent example. It’s been an honor to witness and participate in her growth into a capable young woman.”