Boys & Girls Clubs of America Names Saint Lucie County Teen as 2026 – 2027 National Youth of the Year at High-Profile Celebration
Press Release
New York, NY, – October 2, 2026 – Last night, Boys & Girls Clubs of America named Enrique R. L. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Saint Lucie County its 2026–2027 National Youth of the Year in a celebration held at Cipriani in New York City. The event, emceed by Sara Haines of ABC’s The View, honored six extraordinary teens from across the country for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to health and wellbeing.
The National Youth of the Year celebration showcases the inspiring young people who embody Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to ensure all kids and teens have the resources and support they need to achieve great futures. These standout youth serve as role models for their generation and represent the very best of America’s communities. The National Youth of the Year serves as a teen spokesperson for millions of Club kids and is awarded resources to support their life and career endeavors after high school, including a $50,000 college scholarship and a brand-new Toyota Corolla.
Raymond James, Presenting Sponsor of Youth of the Year, contributed $25,000 to a retirement account for Enrique during a special onstage presentation. Designed to grow over time, the gift provides Enrique with an early foundation for long-term financial security. As a dedicated Boys & Girls Clubs of America partner, Raymond James provides critical support for programs that help Club kids and teens stay on track for graduation and build the leadership and life skills needed for future success.
A five-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Saint Lucie County, Enrique is known for his passionate and determined leadership and commitment to helping others succeed. He plans to attend the University of Florida, where he will study elementary education and pursue his goal of becoming a teacher. Through his experiences at the Club, Enrique has developed a vision for creating more inclusive communities where every young person feels supported and empowered.
“We are proud to welcome Enrique to an extraordinary group of young people who have found their voices and are making an impact in their communities,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This recognition reflects Enrique’s hard work and determination, as well as the experiences that help young people become confident, future-ready leaders. At Clubs, we see every day where support and opportunity can lead. In fact, 93% of Club teens say they expect to graduate from high school, compared with 87% of teens nationally. We look forward to seeing all that Enrique will accomplish this year, and in the years ahead.”
Prominent celebrities, athletes, business leaders and Boys & Girls Clubs supporters and alumni were in attendance during the evening, including Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts, along with Boys & Girls Clubs of America Trustee and ABC News correspondent Will Reeve, anchor of CBS’ Inside Edition Eva Pilgrim, Raymond James CEO Paul Shoukry, former NBA player Jay Williams, Joint Staff Vice Director for Manpower & Personnel Sean Lehr, NFL Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware, actress Marsai Martin, Toyota’s Director of Government Affairs Regina Luzincourt, WWE superstar Montez Ford, and comedian and actor JB Smoove.
The evening also featured professional ballet dancer, Misty Copeland, a National Youth of the Year Ambassador and Boys & Girls Clubs of America alumna, who announced the 2026-2027 National Youth of the Year. Super Bowl Champion QB and philanthropist, Russell Wilson, joined the program to introduce the Youth of the Year finalists, while Boys & Girls Clubs of America CEO Jim Clark took the stage alongside other Boys & Girls Clubs of America leaders and supporters.
The five finalists recognized during the celebration were:
- Holden J., Boys & Girls Club of Benton County – Arkansas
- Aryiane H., Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City – Pennsylvania
- Jonathan G., National Military Youth of the Year, Tinker Air Force Base
- Brook’Lynn H., Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota – Minnesota
- Nianti R-M., Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County – California
The evening also recognized Gary Wendt, a longtime member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Board of Governors, who received the Champion of Youth Award for his more than two decades of dedicated service to the organization. The award was presented by Jim Clark and Bill Rogers, executive chair of Truist Financial Corporation and board chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The 2026-27 Youth of the Year program is supported by Presenting Sponsor Raymond James and Blue Door Sponsors Capital Group and Morgan Stanley.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, visit BGCA.org. Additional photos available here.
About Youth of the Year
The Youth of the Year (bgca.org/yoy) program is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition initiative. It celebrates outstanding teens who are committed to leadership, service, and academic excellence. Each year, over 135,000 Boys & Girls Club members across the country participate in local, state, and regional Youth of the Year events, culminating in the selection of the National Youth of the Year.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
