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.

2023 MA Youth of the Year


Deshawn V. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester


“It’s our generation’s responsibility to help each other and fix the problems in this world so the next generation doesn’t have to.”


Years as a Club Member: 14

Defining Characteristics: Empathetic & Determined

Anticipated Career Choice: Criminology


Now preparing for his senior year at Boston Latin School, Deshawn looks forward to football while maintaining his 3.4 GPA. Outside of school, he also plays Pop Warner football and is a staff member at the Club. In the future he hopes to study criminology, eventually becoming a teacher or working in law enforcement.


As the 2023 Massachusetts Youth of the Year, Deshawn serves as an ambassador for all teens in the state. He received a $20,000 Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Scholarship, a $2,500 college scholarship and plaque from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and laptop from Comcast NBCUniversal.


2023 MA Military Youth of the Year


Ben from Hanscom AFB Youth Program

 

“My Club has always been there for me. They have helped me grow and flourish. I am strong and where I am at today because of them.”

 

Years as a Club Member: 5

Defining Characteristics: Hardworking & Resilient


Now preparing for his senior year at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, Ben looks forward to a co-op while maintaining his 3.8 GPA. Outside of school, he is the Keystone president at the Club and helps pack medical supply bags to send to Ukraine.


He is looking forward to starting his own men’s mental health club and preparing future Youth of the Years and Keystoners for leadership roles. He hopes to work part-time at the Club when he goes off to study data science next year and wants to work as a data scientist and help give back to the community that has given so much to him.


Years a Club Member:

Defining Characteristics:

Career Interests:  Data Science

 

As the 2023 Massachusetts Military Youth of the Year, Ben serves as an ambassador for all military teens in the state. He received a $2,500 college scholarship and plaque from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 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 Amelia Peabody Foundation, Comcast NBCUniversal, FMC Ice Sports, Mass Mutual and the Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Scholarship Fund. Nationally, the Youth of the Year Program is supported by Toyota, Kohl’s and Mondelez. As a Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Toyota is 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. As the Lead Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Mondelēz International, will engage with local Clubs year-round to help foster a new generation of leaders prepared to live in and lead a diverse global economy. Youths of the Year are the workforce leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.


  • The State Youth of the Year receives $22,500
  • The State Military Youth of the Year will receive $2,500
  • 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.


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