Honoring and Celebrating
The Nation’s Most Inspiring Teens
National Youth of the Year
Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club kid can receive. The teen selected to be the National Youth of the Year represents Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the voices of millions of Club youth. And for more than 75 years, the Youth of the Year program has recognized young people for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to health and wellbeing.
Meet Ximena
2025’s national teen spokesperson is an enthusiastic, community-minded individual on a journey to advocate for everyone’s futures. Read More →
At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we believe every young person has what it takes to reach their potential. Each day across the nation, we support more than 5,500 Boys & Girls Clubs in providing opportunities and experiences for America’s kids and teens to thrive. Having a place to belong and someone who believes in you can have a powerful impact. Our Youth of the Year are a shining example of this and exemplify what it means to be a Club kid.
2026 Youth of the Year Events
Southeast Youth of the Year
Atlanta, GA | June 11, 2026
http://seyoy.bgca.org
Midwest Youth of the Year
Chicago, IL | June 25, 2026
http://mwyoy.bgca.org
National Military Youth of the Year
Washington, DC | August 6, 2026
http://nmyoy.bgca.org
National Youth of the Year
New York City, NY | October 1, 2026
http://nyoy.bgca.org
Take Space & Make Space
Teens today have a lot on their minds — from school and what’s after graduation, to figuring out where they belong. Our 2022 Youth of the Year share how their Boys & Girls Club made a difference, as well their advice for fellow teens.
News & Stories
After discovering her passion for advocacy, Ximena got the chance of a lifetime to speak directly to the U.S. Congress, opening the door to new ambitions.
At just 16, discover how Jacob is using the arts to shine a light on teens’ experiences with mental health and growing up in a military family.
Club Kids are nourished in more ways than one. Follow Tiana’s journey from experiencing hunger to enrolling in nursing school.
When Eva saw kids struggling in school, she became the ultimate tutor, inspiring over 80 students to fall in love with learning.
Elda thought her community could only hold her back. But after becoming a youth mentor at her Boys & Girls Club, she found fertile ground for positive growth.
After experiencing personal loss, Brianna used podcasting and advocacy to turn her grief into action.
