Youth of the Year
A Place for Youth to Thrive & Achieve
For more than 70 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens. These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for America. Inspiring all kids to lead. To succeed. To inspire.
Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth as well as a voice for all of our nation’s young people. Over the decades, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. National Youth of the Year winners have achieved success in a variety of industries, including entertainment, politics, business and sports.
Becoming National Youth of the Year is an exciting and inspiring journey. Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in local, state and regional Youth of the Year events. Six teens, including five regional winners and a national military youth winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year Celebration, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson. The National Youth of the Year is a role model, leader and advocate for over 4.6 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year, and all of America’s young people.
In 2021, the Houston award was renamed Julius Young Youth of the Year in memory and in honor of Julius Young, Jr., who was elected Board Chairman of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) for 2020-2021 and passed away in September 2021. Young was BGCGH’s first Black board chair and “Club kid” and made a tremendous impact on the lives of Houston-area youth in the time he served.
This year, the Julius Young Youth of the Year Award presented by Chevron was awarded to Jonathan S. from the Richmond Club.
2024 Junior Youth of the Year
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston is proud to announce Leonardo G. from our Rosenberg Club as our 2024 Junior Youth of the Year.
The Junior Youth of the Year program fosters Club members’ emerging leadership abilities while preparing them for later participation in the Youth of the Year program. In addition to recognizing the leadership achievements of Club youth, Junior Youth of the Year also cultivates their leadership potential, providing the foundation they need for advanced leadership development, academic excellence, and postsecondary success. Through this program, Club youth become motivated to seek opportunities for leadership and to act as responsible citizens and change agents.
The Junior Youth of the Year title is a prestigious Club honor. The winner exemplifies BGCGH values and is proof of the impact BGCGH is making on transforming young people’s lives. We want to extend a thank you to our guest judges from Deloitte, Opportune, Crowne Castle, and Distribution Now, as well as our 16 applicants. Congratulations again, Leonardo! We cannot wait to follow you on your journey.