Press Release, May 19, 2025
NASHUA PAL YOUTH, JHON ALMONTE VIDAL, HONORED WITH A NATIONAL AWARD: NATIONAL PAL’S 2025 MALE YOUTH OF THE YEAR
With immense pride and joy, Nashua PAL (Police Athletic League) is thrilled to announce that 17‑year‑old Jhon Almonte Vidal, a senior at Nashua High School South and longtime Nashua PAL member, has been honored as National PAL’s 2025 Male Youth of the Year!
Jhon was chosen as Male Youth of the Year from a pool of amazing youth leaders across the country. While accepting his award at National PAL’s Annual Conference in Memphis, TN, Jhon said, “I’m not only representing myself, I’m representing my community.” Jhon was joined in Memphis by his proud parents, along with Nashua PAL’s Executive Director, Shaun Nelson, and Youth Safe Haven Program Coordinator, Jaela Solis. Jhon’s story is a testament to his strength, and the power that mentoring has on our youth.
Jhon’s journey with PAL began at age 10, shortly after his family immigrated to the U.S. His mother—working two and three jobs to support Jhon and his two younger brothers—found a safe haven for them at Nashua PAL. “It was hard,” Jhon recalls about moving to a new culture and community. “At first, everything was hard.”
He admits that his start at PAL was rocky as he was young boy that had a lot of constructive conversations with PAL staff about his choices, often leading to him being sent home for the day. “I used to do things I wasn’t supposed to so I got attention, but I realized that wasn’t the attention I wanted. I wanted to be different”, Jhon stated. He emphasized that PAL’s doors were always open to him. While he said his mom had to push him to go back for a bit, Jhon says, “I fell in love with it. When I was joining the other kids, then helping out more in the community, I started feeling good about myself as I was helping others.”
Over the years, Jhon has grown into a role model at PAL, actively participating in the Young Leaders Group for 4 years, facilitating games for younger PAL members, and even serving as Junior Staff. In 2024, he attended the National PAL Youth Leadership Summit in Charlotte, meeting PAL youth from across the country; and was named Nashua PAL’s Jr. PAL of the Year.
Jhon’s transformation into the bright, helpful young man he is today is nothing short of inspiring! Jhon's persistence and the support from his mom, his mentor, Zeke, and many PAL staff, helped him become a thriving young leader at PAL and in the Nashua community. Jaela Solis, Youth Safe Haven Program Coordinator and Mentor, says, “Jhon’s transformation from a boy who avoided being seen by the PAL staff (in case we made him follow the rules...) to a confident role model for his younger brothers and peers is truly inspiring. His peers and the littles at PAL have watched him grow!” Jaela said, “Jhon is going to have an extremely bright future. He feels it – Jhon knows he has potential to reach this bright future, and he wants to show the world. I’m so proud of the young man he’s become.”
Jhon’s commitment to becoming the best person he can be extends beyond PAL— while balancing his senior year, he began exploring the world of real estate and shadowing those in the field. Jhon connected with a Nashua PAL Mentor and Real Estate Agent who offered job shadowing along with a summer internship at her agency! Jhon’s dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and the positive choices he is making demonstrate his drive to build a bright future.
Jhon referenced the impact of PAL in his life by saying, “I can make a future. PAL has helped me see that. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. I’m just getting started. I have a long way to go, but trust me, I’m going to keep going.” His resilience, leadership, and vision for the future are truly commendable.
Please join us in congratulating Jhon Almonte Vidal on this well‑deserved honor as National PAL’s 2025 Male Youth of the Year!
