Stories

Introducing the 2025 Youth of the Year Candidates

Jan 30, 2025 | Character & Leadership

Since 1947, Youth of the Year (YOY) has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier leadership program, celebrating the achievements of outstanding Club teens. To enhance this legacy, BGCA helps candidates develop essential leadership skills in self-awareness, communication, and community involvement. This program provides youth with the tools they need to succeed in life, work, and education, while offering opportunities to compete at the local, state, regional, and national levels. These awards recognize and honor our brightest members who embody the values we cherish. 

Meet the BGCAA 2025 YOY Candidates!

Na’Siah M.

Navarro High Boys & Girls Club 

Length of Club Membership: Four years
School: Navarro High School
Grade: 12th Grade
Career Interest: Medicine/Doctor

Na’Siah is a passionate and determined young woman who uses her voice and personal experiences to inspire others. She excels in sports like basketball and track and has overcome her own academic challenges along the way. In addition to her school responsibilities and extracurriculars, she successfully balances the demanding role of a hairstylist—a job that requires skill, focus, and precision.

Na’Siah is deeply influenced by her mom, a strong, independent woman whose resilience and strength are a constant source of inspiration. Her time at Boys & Girls Club has been transformative, describing the Club as a source of family, support, and love. Mentors like Jacob Hernandez, or Mr. Jacob as Club members affectionately call him, have played an important role in her growth, offering her guidance and opportunities to thrive. With dreams of becoming a doctor, Na’Siah is committed to overcoming challenges, pursuing higher education, and staying grounded in her faith.

Beyond her academic and career aspirations, what matters most to Na’Siah is her family and faith. “My family has always been my foundation, shaping me into someone who values love, resilience, and community above all else.” Her four years with Navarro High Boys & Girls Club have shaped her into a determined young woman who is focused on both her future and making a positive impact on her community. 

Kaitlin R.

Boys & Girls Home Club 

Length of Club Membership: Three years 
School: Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy 
Grade: Eighth Grade 
Career Interest: Pediatrics/Medicine 

Kaitlin is a driven and compassionate young woman with a deep passion for helping others. Her involvement in school sports like basketball and swimming shows her dedication to both teamwork and personal growth. Kaitlin credits her mom as a major inspiration in her life, praising her for being a consistent support system for her family. She’s also grateful for mentors like Club Professional Ms. Jackie, who has been instrumental in her journey, providing a safe and enriching environment when she needed it most. 

Kaitlin is determined to pursue a career in medicine, specifically pediatrics, driven by her desire to make a positive impact on others’ health, especially those lacking resources. Inspired by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kaitlin hopes to be remembered for her contributions to helping others. Through her involvement with BGCAA over the past three years, she continues to embody the values of service, compassion, and perseverance. 

Gael B.

Chalmers Courts Boys & Girls Club 

Length of Club Membership: Six years 
School: Eastside Early College High School 
Grade: 10th Grade 
Career Interest: Sports Management/Leadership 

Gael is a dedicated student at Eastside Early College High School, where he maintains an A/B honor roll. Raised in Austin and a long-time resident of HACA, Gael has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since 2018. His mother, a single parent, enrolled him to provide a positive environment, and the Club has been a key support in his academic and personal growth. 

Through his involvement in the Junior Staff program, Gael has gained leadership skills and learned responsibility, preparing him for future opportunities. He’s also found invaluable support from staff and programs, like Darlins from the University of Austin, which have helped him improve his academic and communication skills. 

Gael strives to be a role model for his two younger siblings, encouraging them to pursue their education and future careers. With a passion for baseball and a goal of working in sports management, Gael is motivated to create a positive impact for himself and his family, using the lessons learned at the Boys & Girls Club to guide his path forward. 

Aurelois C. 

LBJ Boys & Girls Club

Length of Club Membership: Four years 
School: LBJ High School 
Grade: 12th Grade 
Career Interest: Sports Equipment Design or Athletic Training 

Aurelois is an energetic and ambitious high school senior with a deep passion for sports and the role that equipment and safety play in athletes’ lives. He’s been involved in football, basketball, track and field, baseball, and wrestling, with a particular fascination for how sports equipment evolves over time to improve performance and safety. His dream is to either become an engineer specializing in sports equipment or an athletic trainer, focusing on reducing injuries and making sports safer for athletes. 

Through his involvement with the Boys & Girls Club, Aurelois has gained invaluable leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. He’s been an active participant in field trips, volunteering, and helping out with various events, such as football clinics with professional athletes like Jamaal Charles. He credits the Club for providing a space where he could grow both personally and socially, forming lasting friendships and gaining mentorship from staff members like Mr. Clarence. 

Looking ahead, Aurelois plans to pursue a degree in sports health or a related fields. His ultimate goal is to work in the sports industry, either designing safer equipment or helping athletes recover from injuries. Aurelois is grateful for the opportunities the Boys & Girls Club has provided, and he’s determined to use everything he’s learned to make a positive impact in the world of sports. 

Jacobi S.

Navarro High Boys & Girls Club

Length of Club Membership: Four years
School: Navarro High School
Grade: 12th Grade
Career Interest: Health Science/Kinesiology

Jacobi’s journey with the Boys & Girls Club has been one of growth, leadership, and new opportunities. Over the past four years, he has gained invaluable life lessons, from participating in community service projects to touring the University of Texas campus. These experiences have opened his eyes to the possibilities of college life and the importance of setting goals. 

Through his time at the club, Jacobi has learned the value of teamwork and collaboration. Whether packing boxes for a food drive or encouraging fellow members to get involved, he’s seen firsthand how much can be achieved when everyone contributes their unique skills. His involvement has also deepened his understanding of leadership. Mentored by Mr. Jacob, Jacobi has learned that leadership isn’t just about being in charge—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels heard, supported, and valued. 

Jacobi is passionate about health and physical activity, and he’s set his sights on studying Health Science or Kinesiology in college. The encouragement he’s received at the club has helped him develop the confidence and drive to pursue these goals. With the foundation built at the BGCAA, Jacobi is excited to continue growing, striving for his dreams, and making a positive impact in his community and beyond. 

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