KBGC Youth of the Year!
Recognizing the accomplishments of our club members and their commitment to bettering themselves and their communities!
Youth of the Year is our organizations signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.
In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone - especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
Youth of the Year
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.
Junior Youth of the Year
Distinct from the National Youth of the Year program, Junior Youth of the Year seeks to develop junior leaders ages 10-13 within the Club environment. The 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.
2025 Youth of the Year
Jacob Begley
Age: 15 | Grade: 8th
School: John Sevier Middle School
Anticipated College: UConn
Length of Club membership: 6 years
Quote: "Here at the club staff showed me that if I put my mind to it, I can do anything."
2025 Junior Youth of the Year
Liam O'Hara
Age: 12 | Grade: 6th
School: Sullivan Heights Middle School
Anticipated College: East Tennessee State University
Length of Club membership: 4 years
Quote: " Here at the club I feel safe."
2025 Competing Youth of the Year Van Davidson
Age: 18 | Grade: 12th
School: Dobyns Bennett High School
Anticipated College: Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT)
Length of Club membership: 8 years
Quote: "Listening to music has helped me through the worst of times."