Latest news with #YouthoftheYear
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Boys & Girls Club leaders honored at annual 'Youth of the Year' awards dinner
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The annual Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year celebration dinner honored some of the region's brightest young leaders. Several young leaders from Boys & Girls Clubs across the region were in the spotlight Wednesday night, honored as the 'Youth of the Year.' From Springfield to the Berkshires, each honoree was chosen for their ability to lead, succeed, and inspire. 'Youth of the Year' awardee Jesus Morales Jr. told 22News, 'To be able to inspire these kids. There are days when it's rough—you feel like nobody cares about you. But at the end of the day, you know that you are always making an impact in each of their lives.' The Youth of the Year program is more than a title—it's a national initiative that showcases young leaders who overcome obstacles, demonstrate academic excellence, and give back to their communities. These youth leaders will have the chance to compete regionally and then nationally….Earning scholarships along the way. The national youth of the year could receive up to $50,000Including a special installation by the president of the United States. 'To me, it's fulfillment at the end of the day,' Morales adds. The evening was emceed by Mass Appeal's Patrick Berry, who has seen firsthand the power of Boys and Girls Club programming. ' 'You meet people, make life-long friendships, and you learn skills that you may not learn elsewhere—so your local boys and girls club is the glue of the community,' says Berry. These honorees will now move forward as ambassadors and potentially become the national youth of the year. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Extraordinary Teens Honored at Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Annual 'Southwest Youth of the Year' Celebration
Boys & Girls Club Candidates from across the Southwest region participated in a chance to earn a $20,000 scholarship; Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones awarded for dedication to youth and sports Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Southwest Youth of the Year 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Southwest Youth of the Year 2025 ATLANTA, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the nation's leading youth-serving organizations, hosted its annual 'Southwest Youth of the Year' celebration, honoring extraordinary teens for their achievements in leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to health and well-being. This year's event was held in Frisco, Texas, on May 16, 2025. It brought together 14 Youth of the Year and Military Youth of the Year candidates from the Southwest region who exemplify tenacity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to community impact. Emceed by Emmy-nominated host of Good Morning Texas, Amy Vanderoef, the event included several notable attendees, including Karen Ideno, Boys & Girls Clubs' Southwest Regional Chair, who recently retired from Toyota. The celebration kicked off with a reception, followed by speakers, a dinner, and special performances. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed: A performance from the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue A performance by Club youth, Montgomery, from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, and blue carpet appearances by Club youth from Boys & Girls Club of Collin County among others Empowering speeches from fourteen representatives to share their personal Club stories A scholarship awarded to the 2025-26 Southwest Youth of the Year, Ximena from Boys & Girls Club of McAllen (Texas) and 2025-26 Southwest Military Youth of the Year, Summer from Peterson Space Force Base (Colorado). As the newly named Southwest Youth of the Year and a member of Boys & Girls Club of McAllen for nine years, Ximena has taken on many leadership roles within her Club, including Vice President of Junior Staff, President of her Keystone Club and President of her Club's TLC (Think Learn Change) group. In school, she's Vice President of the National Honor Society and a student athlete in track and field, volleyball, and soccer. Ximena is passionate about serving and improving her community and she has organized and facilitated service events amounting to 200 hours of community service. 'My Club is where I found a place to belong, a place to study, a place to lead, a place to create change, and a place I'm forever thankful to call my second home,' said Ximena. Named this year's Southwest Military Youth of the Year, Summer has been a member of her Boys and Girls Club at the Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs for 10 years. Within her Club, she serves as Treasurer of Keystone Club and was named Colorado's Military Youth of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Summer was also a National 4H Conference Delegate, where she presented to the Department of Education on the importance of access to career pathways for success, and she is National Honor Society President. Summer is passionate about mental health, and growing up with Tourette Syndrome has fueled her commitment to personal growth. "Success is obtained through determination and being true to oneself,' said Summer. Jerry Jones, owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys and former Club Kid from Boys Club of North Little Rock (Arkansas), was the recipient of the 2025 Champion of the Youth Award for his outstanding support of youth in sports. He was presented the award by Boys & Girls Clubs of America President & CEO, Jim Clark, and former Dallas Cowboys star, Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former Boys & Girls Club Kid, DeMarcus Ware. "Some of my most cherished and valuable memories and moments from my youth are from time spent as a Club Kid in North Little Rock,' said Jones. 'So much can be learned from sports and building relationships at an early age. That was clearly the case for me with football. Seeing the youth recognized here tonight for their outstanding qualities is also very rewarding. I know first-hand how the Boys and Girls Clubs of America has surely impacted their current accomplishments and can also help their future growth and success.' "As we gathered to celebrate our Southwest Youth of the Year candidates, we were privileged to recognize these remarkable young leaders who represent the very best of Boys & Girls Clubs," said Jim Clark, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "These exceptional young people demonstrate outstanding character, academic excellence, and dedication to service, which underscores what's possible when young people are given the support, opportunities, and encouragement to reach their full potential.' Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2025 Youth of the Year program will culminate with the naming of the 2025-2026 National Youth of the Year during a celebration event on September 18 in Los Angeles. Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier recognition program for Club teens. As the highest honor a Club member can receive, the National Youth of the Year represents Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the voices of over 4 million Club youth it serves. 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 living a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, its programs, and partners, visit About Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaFor more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America ( 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. Over 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. About Youth of the YearThe Youth of the Year 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, 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. As the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Kohl's, through Kohl's Cares, empowers Boys & Girls Clubs through staff training in trauma-informed care and curriculum updates that support youth mental health and wellbeing within the Youth of the Year program. Attachments Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Southwest Youth of the Year 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Southwest Youth of the Year 2025 CONTACT: Andrea Holliday Boys & Girls Clubs of America aholliday@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teen leader Britany Gutierrez honored by Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada has announced its Youth of the Year, an honor that highlights inspiring teens and their journeys. Britany Gutierrez, 17, said she started visiting the Lied Memorial Club when she was seven years old. Now a teen, a student at Spring Valley High School, Gutierrez has been honored with the title of Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. 'I didn't believe it,' Gutierrez said after finding out she took home the honor. Candidates for Youth of the Year participate in interviews and speeches, which are subsequently viewed by judges. The goal, officials say, is to illustrate a candidate's growth over time. For Gutierrez, her speech was dedicated to her mother, a single mom of three, and told the story of the challenges she faced on the way to becoming a leader. She noted the Boys and Girls Clubs' importance in that journey, calling the club her 'second home.' 'I have to be independent, I have to learn to do things on my own,' Gutierrez said, recounting her youth. Her path led to a position as president of the Keystone Club, referred to as 'the Boys & Girls Club Movement's ultimate teen program.' 'I learned leadership, communication, and the importance of giving back,' Gutierrez said. 'They teach you about the real-life stuff.' Gutierrez said she enjoys passing down what she has learned to the younger people at the Boys & Girls Club. 'I want to be able to say, hey, I helped this little kid, and this little kid is a billionaire and helping everybody,' she said. Gutierrez was awarded nearly $2,000 in scholarship money and will advance to the Pacific Regional competition in Los Angeles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks and Baseball Legend Alex Rodriguez Named Co-Chairs of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2025 National Youth of the Year Celebration
ATLANTA, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the nation's leading youth-serving organizations, confirms baseball legend, businessman and FOX MLB Analyst Alex Rodriguez, and FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer, Eric Shanks, will serve as co-chairs for its 2025 'National Youth of the Year' event. The Youth of the Year program, a cornerstone of Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 75 years, celebrates the remarkable achievements of teens nationwide. These inspiring young people are recognized for their exceptional leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to healthy living – it is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve. In 2024, Youth of the Year participants contributed nearly 73,000 volunteer hours in their communities, and they excel in school, with an average GPA of 3.7. Each year during a star-studded celebration event, one outstanding young person—selected from a group of regional and military Youth of the Year leaders—is named National Youth of the Year, representing millions of Club kids across the country. As co-chairs of the National Youth of the Year leadership committee, Rodriguez and Shanks will collaborate with business and community leaders, professionals, and philanthropists to elevate the celebration, expand its impact, and raise crucial funds to support life-changing programs at Boys & Girls Clubs. 'Alex and Eric are not just titans in their respective fields, but also passionate advocates for youth empowerment,' said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. 'They bring a unique blend of personal experience and professional excellence to this role. As former Club members, they understand the transformative power of our programs, and as influential leaders, they can amplify the voices of our young people on a national stage. Their commitment is a powerful testament to the impact Boys & Girls Clubs have on shaping future leaders.' Both Rodriguez and Shanks are inductees of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Alumni Hall of Fame, having attended Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade (Florida) and Terre Haute Boys & Girls Club (Indiana) as youth, respectively. Shanks has served on Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Board of Governors since 2015, chairing the Pacific region until 2020. Rodriguez sits on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and joined Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Board of Governors in 2020. Since then, he has been an influential advisor on marketing efforts and has personally invested over $1 million in the organization's mission. 'My time at Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade was transformative, shaping me into the person I am today. It's where I first picked up a ball and where I was introduced to mentorship and leadership,' said Rodriguez. 'I'm honored to co-chair this event and support these incredible young leaders who represent the very best of our communities.' 'Boys & Girls Clubs provided me with a foundation that has been invaluable throughout my life,' said Shanks. 'I'm excited to partner with Alex to celebrate these exceptional young people and utilize the power of the FOX Sports brand to highlight the life-changing work that supports Club kids nationwide.' The 2025-2026 National Youth of the Year celebration event, presented by Kohl's, will take place at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles on September 18. As the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Kohl's, through Kohl's Cares, empowers Boys & Girls Clubs through staff training in trauma-informed care and curriculum updates that support youth mental health and wellbeing within the Youth of the Year program. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, its programs, and partners, visit About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America ( ) 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. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 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. Andrea Holliday Boys & Girls Clubs of America [email protected]
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Centennial High School sophomore wins Youth of the Year
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Hundreds of people came out Thursday night to help raise money for the Don Moyer Boys and Girls club and celebrate the winner of the Youth of the Year award. Centennial High School sophomore Angel Walker took home the hardware. Walker has been going to the club since she was six years old. She was one of five members up for the award and credits the organization with developing her as a person. Moweaqua teen, Eagle Scout earning national recognition after giving back to Haiti 'Experiences that I think that helped the person I am today is the programs that I did through in the Boys and Girls Club like peer mediation and the fundraisers that we do like this,' Walker said. 'Now, I've learned how to be more open to trying new things because you can get into places like this and to just like, be more social with people.' Walker said she's excited to represent Don Moyer at the regional conference in Chicago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
