Ask any Youth of the Year How He or She Achieved the Honor

He will tell you that a staff member at the Club made the difference. She will tell you how Club staff supported her, coached her and encouraged her. Every Club professional has the power to develop within all members the qualities of sound character, leadership and willingness to serve. These are the qualities that make a Youth of the Year. They are also some of the most important qualities young people need to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Whether a Club member actually goes on to become Youth of the Year, the time and effort invested in the development of each individual helps these young people become all they are capable of being. That is what makes the Youth of the Year program an effective year-round development program for all members.

Your Boys & Girls Club and Beyond

It is at the Club level that the Youth of the Year program has its greatest impact in developing young people. Those who go on to state, regional and national levels of the program are afforded additional opportunities for personal growth. To enter a girl or boy in the National Youth of the Year Program, submit your outstanding candidate's application to your Regional Service Center for consideration. Every local Youth of the Year will receive a medallion and an opportunity to become State Youth of the Year, a regional finalist or even National Youth of the Year. But you and your candidate will never know how far he or she could go unless you put the Youth of the Year program kit to work in your Club.

Give your members the experience of a lifetime. Give them a chance to become National Youth of the Year, to be that special individual who embodies the finest qualities possessed by Boys & Girls Club members throughout the country.

2006 National YOY and Finalist

2006 National Youth of the Year: Stacey L. Walker, 18 Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, Iowa	Pacific Youth of the Year: Kelly A. Barefield, 17 Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Wash.
Northeast Youth of the Year: David J. Shelly, 18 Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club, Pa.	Southwest Youth of the Year: Alyse C. Eady, 18 Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, Ark.	Southeast Youth of the Year: Montorie K. Lee, 17 Boys & Girls Clubs of Mitchell County, Ga.