Youth of the Year
BGCA’s Premier Program for Teens

The National Youth of the Year serves as the teen spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, giving voice to nearly four million club kids, educating about the power of the Club experience, and elevating key issues facing children and teens.

Youth of the Year Journey


A mainstay of the Boys & Girls Club Experience, Youth of the Year is a year-round program that helps young people develop the necessary leadership tools and character traits to be successful now and productive, caring, responsible adults in the future. Becoming National Youth of the Year is an exciting and inspiring journey. Starting at the local level, Club members of all ages are encouraged to participate in the leadership program and in a rigorous application process. Local judges select one teen to serve as each Club organization’s Youth of the Year. Each Club Youth of the Year goes on to participate in the state event. Military and non-military state Youth of the Year move on to regional events. Six teens, including five regional Youth of the Year and the military Youth of the Year, advance to Washington, D.C., for the National Youth of the Year Gala and Celebration Dinner, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson.

MA Youth of the Year


Megan A. from James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn


"I am a person who likes to help others because the Boys & Girls Club helped me, and nothing could ever lessen the impact that the Club has had on my life.”


As the Massachusetts Youth of the Year, Megan serves as an

ambassador for all teens in the state. She received a $20,000

Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Scholarship, a $2,500 college

scholarship and plaque from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a $500 scholarship from the Greater Boston Association of

Realtors and laptop from Comcast NBCUniversal.






MA Military Youth of the Year


Victoria from Hanscom AFB Youth Program

 

“Don’t ever underestimate what ‘just’ one note can do to a song, what ‘just’ one song can do to a person, and what ‘just’ one person can do to the world.”


As the Massachusetts Military Youth of the Year, Victoria serves as an ambassador for all military teens in the state. She received a $2,500 college scholarship and plaque from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a $500 scholarship from the Greater Boston Association of Realtors and a laptop from Comcast NBCUniversal.

National Youth of the Year Role


The National Youth of the Year serves as the voice of nearly four million Club youth and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s teen spokesperson, educating millions of Americans about the power of the Club Experience, and elevating key issues facing kids and teens. The National Youth of the Year’s duties can include appearing at regional and national events, serving as a media spokesperson and teen thought leader, and meeting with political, corporate and community leaders. Continuing decades of tradition, the National Youth of the Year and regional finalists also meet with the President of the United States in the Oval Office.


Partner Support


The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth of the Year Celebration is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, Mass

Mutual, PV Financial Group, Lamacchia Realty, Carolyn Muzzi & Gary Adams and the Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Scholarship Fund. Nationally, the Youth of the Year Program is made possible BGCA’s signature sponsor Kohl’s. As a Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Toyota and Kohl’s are committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Clubs provide life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to explore, develop and apply the essential skills they need to be successful in life and work.


  • The State Youth of the Year receives $23,000
  • The State Military Youth of the Year will receive $4,000
  • The Regional Youth of the Year and Regional Military Youth of the Year each receive $20,000
  • The National Military Youth of the Year receives an additional $20,000.
  • The National Youth of the Year receives $50,000.


Through the Youth of the Year program, young people showcase their talents and achievements, share their hopes and dreams, and work toward a bright and positive future. Youth of the Year honorees at any level – local, state, regional and national – are shining examples and living proof that GREAT FUTURES START HERE – at Boys & Girls Clubs.