KBGC Youth of the Year!
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.
2026 Youth of the Year
Rylan Kiser
Age: 16 | Grade: 10th
School: Dobyns-Bennett High School
Length of Club membership: 6 years
Rylan has been a club member for 6 years and is actively involved with club activities and the community. Before becoming a member of the club, Rylan was struggling. “I wasn’t the best kid,” he said. “I made mistakes and didn’t make the best decisions. All that changed when I joined the Club. I had a place where I could play sports and make friends. The Club gave me structure and purpose.”
2026 Junior Youth of the Year
Liam O'Hara
Age: 12 | Grade: 7th
School: Sullivan Heights Middle School
Anticipated College: East Tennessee State University
Length of Club membership: 5 years
Liam has been a member of the Club for 4 years enjoys coming to the teen center every day after school. “The Club is a place that I can meet friends and learn new things,” Liam said. “Everyone is nice and friendly and I have so much fun playing games and doing all the activities.”