What is Youth of the Year?
Every year, approximately 94 participants from across the country and military bases worldwide are awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships as state, regional and National Youth of the Year finalists.
Program
For nearly 70 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens. These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for America. Inspiring all kids to lead. To succeed. To inspire.
Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the our Youth of the Year, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club of the Ocoee Region, and competing for a chance to win Regional and then National Youth of the Year. Over the years, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. Youth of the Year winners have achieved success in a variety of industries, including entertainment, politics, business and sports.
Process
Becoming Youth of the Year is an exciting and inspiring journey. Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in local, state and regional Youth of the Year events. Six teens, including five regional winners and a national military youth winner, advance to Washington, D.C., for the National Youth of the Year Gala & Celebration Dinner, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson. The National Youth of the Year is a role model, leader and advocate for the nearly 4 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year, and all of America’s young people.
Our 2020 Winner: Logan Thompson!
Special thanks to Banner writer Kaitlin Gebby & photographer Daniel Guy for being with us at this year’s Youth of the Year Awards Banquet! And congrats to this year’s winner, Logan Thompson! Tanner, Jaiden, and Logan: we are so very proud of each of you! To read the Banner’s coverage of the event, click here!
