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Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Military Youth of the Year Celebration
On Thursday, August 7, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is hosting the annual National Military Youth of the Year celebration honoring standout teens from military families across the country and abroad for their leadership, academic excellence, and service. Military youth will share their inspiring stories, with one teen awarded a $20,000 scholarship and the title of National Military Youth of the Year — the highest honor for Club military youth.
Expect powerful speeches, unforgettable performances, and appearances from:
🎤 Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight Co-Host
🪖 USMC Color Guard from Marine Barracks Washington
🎵 Montgomery from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
🧑🎓 Past National Military YOY recipients, including Taylor R. (2024), Ahsha Bass (2022), and Natalia Lynch (2014)
Event Details:
WHAT: BGCA will honor the nation's most inspiring military youth for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to health and well-being.
WHEN: Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 6:00-9:00pm ET
6:00 PM: Reception | 7:00-9:00 PM: Dinner & Program
WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. (1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037)
WHO:
2025 National Military Youth of the Year candidates
BGCA President & CEO Jim Clark
Emceed by Nischelle Turner
Club mentors & alumni
WHY: Amplify uplifting stories of military youth and America's future changemakers from military communities.
On-site interview opportunities available with Jim Clark, BGCA CEO, notable guests listed above, and the inspiring local military youth. We'd love for you to join us for dinner and to amplify these uplifting human interest stories of military youth and America's future changemakers.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Youth of the Year
The Youth of the Year (https://bgca.org/yoy) program is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition initiative. It celebrates outstanding teens who are committed to leadership, service, and academic excellence. Each year, Boys & Girls Club members across the country participate in local, state, and regional Youth of the Year events, culminating in the selection of the National Youth of the Year. As the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Kohl’s, through Kohl’s Cares, empowers Boys & Girls Clubs through staff training in trauma-informed care and curriculum updates that support youth mental health and wellbeing within the Youth of the Year program.
BGCA honors outstanding military youth Aug 7 at Ritz-Carlton DC. Top teen wins $20K scholarship & National Military Youth of the Year title. Features Nischelle Turner, performances & inspiring stories.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3158502-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3158502-2
