Teens Make History

For the first time ever, two teens were awarded the title of Fresno County’s Youth of the Year—Brittain from the Zimmerman Club and Lucia from the Orange Cove Club. Both received a $3,000 Me n Ed’s Founder Scholarship, $500 from the Briscoe Family Foundation, pizza for a year, and other special prizes. We are extremely proud of all they have accomplished and the message they each shared on stage.

Brittain

Brittain was vulnerable, passionate, and encouraged everyone to become a light in someone’s life no matter the cost. She has been attending the Club for 11 years and is proud to say she found her voice through the programs at the Club. She is a leader in many areas and participates in many extracurricular activities. She will be graduating high school in 2025 and currently has a 3.5 GPA. Brittain wants to attend Oregon State University to become a Civil Rights Attorney. We believe she can do it, and more importantly, so does she.

Lucia

Lucia’s speech evidenced a lot of courage and vulnerability as well. She encouraged the audience to speak up against wrongdoing and shared how speaking up saved her life. Lucia has been a Club member for three years. She loves being a mentor for the younger kids. She graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and currently attends Reedley Community College. Her dream is to become an attorney. Nothing is stopping her from a Great Future.

Competition Results

First Place Winner: Brittain, Zimmerman Club and Lucia, Orange Cove Club

Second Place Winner: Kayden, Clovis Club

Third Place Winner: Aaron, Juvenile Justice Campus Club

Finalists: Aaliyah, Pinedale Club and Hazel, Orange Cove Club

On January 25th, six dedicated and inspiring teens competed for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County Youth of the Year title. Each candidate displayed courage and passion in their speeches. They all exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and their hard work did not go unnoticed. The Youth of the Year Event is a judging competition. Volunteer judges score speeches and a first place, second place, and third place winner is announced at the end of the night. Each candidate spent months preparing their speech, while continuing their commitment to regular studies, sports, and part-time jobs. A speech is not the only factor that determines the winner. Each candidate also wrote three essays, completed an application and turned in letters of recommendation. Virtual interviews were done prior to the event as well. We are so grateful for the five volunteer judges that participated in Youth of the Year.

Judges

Gina Cuttone, Barthuli & Associates Insurance Services

Jené D’ambrosio, D’ambrosio Trading, Inc.

Jason Del Campo, Dave & Buster’s

Marisa Moore, Bank of America

Patricia Vazquez Topete, Citi Bank

Kayden

History was made when two first place winners were announced, but all finalists made history in their own way. Kayden, second place winner, was the youngest member to place in this competition. Kayden is 14 years old and has been a member at the Clovis Club for six years.

“The Club is not my second home. It’s my first,” he said.

As the second oldest of nine siblings, Kayden has learned that his decisions influence more than just his life. He wants to be a good influence to his younger siblings and has decided to start with pursuing a passion that makes an impact in the community. He will be creating a food pantry at the Boys & Girls Club for families in need. We are so proud of Kayden!

Aaron

Aaron was the first Juvenile Justice Campus Club member to compete in the competition—another first for Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County! As Aaron said in his speech, being incarcerated does not define him and it will not hold him back from being who he was meant to be. This part of his life is just that—a part and soon to be past. Aaron shared his story on stage and inspired the audience with his goal of finishing high school.

JJC Unit Director, Fidel Martinez, said, “I am very proud of the young man he has become. He has found hope for a better future and that means everything. I’m grateful for the Youth of the Year program and excited to see what this means for him moving forward.”

Event Photo Gallery

If you were not able to attend the event but still want to support teens like Brittain, Lucia, Kayden, Aaron, Aaliyah, and Hazel, consider making a one-time or monthly gift to Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County. Your support means we can keep doing Whatever It Takes for them and thousands of youth in our communities.

What is Youth of the Year?

Since 1947, the Youth of the Year Program has been the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens.

Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County has had teens compete for 17 years. To achieve the title of Fresno County’s Youth of the Year, Club members ages 14-18 must be a member for a minimum of two years, and must embody the values of good character and citizenship; academic excellence; healthy lifestyles; and leadership.  They should exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people. Becoming Youth of the Year is no easy task.

Once awarded this title, winners receive a college scholarship, visa gift cards, acknowledgement awards, and other special prizes. In addition to this, the first place winner will have the honor of competing for the Northern California Youth of the Year title.  If they win, they will be invited to compete at the State level and then move onto the Regional level.  The National Boys & Girls Clubs of America winner goes to the White House and meets the U.S. President, wins a car, and receives a full college scholarship.

This is our signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to thrive and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy.

 Meet Our Youth of the Year Winners