Youth Of The Year

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been BGCA's premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Each year, one exceptional young person from a Boys & Girls Club rises to the role of National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people.

Youth of the Year (YOY) and Jr. Youth of the Year (JYOY) are our signature programs to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world. In the modern world, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting, and teamwork are essential.

Junior Youth of the Year Overview
Junior Youth of the Year seeks to develop junior leaders of youth from 6th grade through Sophomores in high school. The program fosters Club member’s leadership abilities while preparing them for future participation in the Youth of the Year program. This program provides a foundation that youth need for advanced leadership development, academic excellence and post-secondary success. Club youth will become motivated to seek opportunities for leadership and to act as responsible citizens and change agents.

Members selected as Junior Youths of the Year will:

  • Be given opportunities to publicly speak about the Club at Club events

  • Be highlighted in Club marketing materials for their outstanding achievement

  • Experience the Youth of the Year competition in Madison as a spectator (early spring)