2026 Youth of the Year Celebration
Recognizing Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today
Where resilience meetings opportunity and potential becomes purpose.
Youth of the Year
Honoring Our Future Leaders
Since 1947, the Youth of the Year program has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition platform, celebrating outstanding Club teens who have demonstrated.
Academic Excellence
Strong Character
Leadership Skills
Commitment to Community Service
Youth of the Year isn’t just about recognizing excellence, it’s about creating it. Every teen who participates in this program gains access to opportunities that change the trajectory of their life. Through Youth of the Year, our members receive:
- Mentorship from caring adults who see their potential and invest in their growth
- Public speaking and leadership training that builds confidence and opens doors
- Scholarship opportunities that make higher education and career pathways accessible
- A lifelong platform for advocacy and service that amplifies their voice in the community
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley, this journey is about more than accolades, it’s a transformative experience that shapes futures.
Let’s Celebrate Together
Join Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Los Robles Greens, 299 S. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
We’re thrilled to host our first-ever Youth of the Year Luncheon, a powerful afternoon where our community will come together to witness the culmination of months of dedication, growth, and transformation. This isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of what’s possible when young people are given the support, structure, and belief they deserve.
Luncheon Highlights:
11:30 AM – Reception & Networking
Connect with fellow community leaders, business professionals, and philanthropists who share your commitment to youth development.
Tickets are $50 each. Table sponsorships start at $1,500.
12:00 PM – Program Begins
- Welcome & Introductions
- Youth Finalists Share Their Speeches
- Youth of the Year Announcement & Closing Remarks
Young People Who Inspire
Meet Our Youth of the Year Candidates
Come ready to be inspired. Our Youth of the Year finalists will share their personal journeys: stories of overcoming obstacles, discovering their voice, and stepping into leadership. These are the moments that remind us why this work matters, and why your support makes all the difference.
Sid
Cal & Marje Johnston
Boys & Girls Club
Favorite Thing About the Club: I love that the Club is a place where I can chill and hang out with friends, but also get my work done and feel productive at the same time.
Favorite Memory: Watching the World Series last year with Mr. Coby. Go Dodgers!
Why They Volunteer: I’ve made a lot of great memories at the Club, and I really enjoy giving back. Volunteering lets me stay involved and help others, which is something I like doing.
Activities Outside the Club: Boy Scouts, camping, rowing, rock climbing, and first aid — pretty much anything outdoors.
Jessica
Catlin Family
Boys & Girls Club
Favorite Thing About the Club: The Club gives me the chance to network and try things I haven’t done before. It’s a place where I can create new passion projects and connect with people on different levels.
Favorite Memory: Back in 8th grade, I helped paint a space-themed mural with one other person. It felt like a rushed process — but now it’s one of everyone’s favorite things at the Club!
Why They Volunteer: I want to make an impact on youth. Too often, young people are ignored, and their voices aren’t heard. I want them to know that someone is listening.
Activities Outside the Club: Yearbook editor, founder of Open Heart Open Door peer support group, archery, choir, and Best Buddies volunteer.
Dexter
Rocky & Lon Morton
Boys & Girls Club
Favorite Thing About the Club: All the different outlets and activities the Club offers. There’s always something new going on, from creative projects to programs that get everyone involved.
Favorite Memory: When I realized the Club wasn’t just like my old elementary after-school program where you sit in a room for hours waiting to be picked up. Here, there are things to do, people to talk to who understand you, and mentors you can really learn from.
Why They Volunteer: To continue the relationships and friendships I’ve built with Club members and staff. If I didn’t volunteer, I’d probably lose touch with most of them, and those friendships mean a lot to me—they’re hard to come by.
Activities Outside the Club: Youth theater, playing music, composing, singing, and golf.
Esha
John L. Notter Family
Boys & Girls Club
Favorite Thing About the Club: Getting to connect with people who have both similar and different interests. You learn so much about what others enjoy, and all the programs are really fun. There are so many opportunities to try new things.
Favorite Memory: Being in Torch Club with Ms. Michelle. Being a leader is really important to me, and Torch Club taught me not only how to lead but also that volunteering can be fun.
Why They Volunteer: To be a role model. I didn’t want to just leave the Club after 8th grade — I wanted to come back, help younger members, and watch them grow into volunteers too. I want to help kids see the impact the Club can have on them.
Aiden
Marion & John E. Anderson
Boys & Girls Club
Favorite Thing About the Club: Getting to see Mr. Sean during Lunch Club every day and playing scrap ball in the middle of the day.
Favorite Memory: Playing in the Smash Brothers tournament last year and getting a rematch with Mr. Jonathan — and winning. It was such a rewarding moment and one I’ll always remember.
Why They Volunteer: Mr. Jonathan encouraged me to volunteer, and it reminded me of all the great memories I had from Lunch Club. I wanted to give back and help create those same experiences for others.
Activities Outside the Club: Boy Scouts, cross country, soccer, track, marksmanship, and fishing.
“Before the Boys & Girls Clubs, I wasn’t the best student. I would get in trouble all the time and didn’t have many friends.”
Renique came to the Club at a time when she felt lost, struggling in school, disconnected, and unsure of where she belonged. But at the Club, she discovered more than just programs. She found support, structure, and people who believed in her. What began as after-school visits quickly became a journey of transformation, as she grew into a trusted leader and role model for younger members.
She’s a Psychology major at Cal State University Northridge, working as a medical assistant, and on track to earn a personal training certification. Her goal? To build a career in nursing, psychotherapy, or osteopathic medicine, all rooted in a passion for helping others.
The Club didn’t just shape her path, it unlocked the future she never imagined possible. And stories like Nicki’s are happening every day at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley. With your support, we can ensure that every teen who walks through our doors has the same opportunity to discover their potential, find their voice, and build the future they deserve.
Being named Youth of the Year wasn’t just an honor for Renique, it was a turning point.
“Being named Youth of the Year highlighted my resilience and personal growth—from a quiet member to someone others looked up to.”
Be a Champion for Youth
Sponsoring Youth of the Year
Your partnership doesn’t just support an event, it fuels the transformative programming that makes stories like Nicki’s possible. Sponsoring Youth of the Year ensures that every teen in our Club has access to the mentorship, training, and opportunities they need to discover their potential and build their future.
When you invest in Youth of the Year, you’re investing in:
- The health and sustainability of programs that serve hundreds of young people
- The futures of teens who might otherwise lack access to leadership development
- The strength of our community, because today’s Club members become tomorrow’s leaders, professionals, and engaged citizens
We offer sponsorship opportunities designed to maximize your impact and visibility while directly supporting the teens who need us most. From Luncheon Sponsors to Table Sponsors, there are meaningful ways to get involved at every level.
Thank You to Our Inaugural Youth of the Year Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors whose generous support makes the Youth of the Year program possible. Your commitment to our teens and our mission is building brighter futures and stronger communities.
Presenting Sponsor:
Lunch Host:
Linda & David Catlin
Lunch Sponsors:
Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation
Table Sponsors:
Taco Bell / Engen Enterprises Inc.
Karen & Jeff Johnston
Together, we are not only celebrating achievement, we’re creating the conditions where achievement becomes possible. Thank you for believing in our youth and for being part of this transformative journey.
Unable to Attend but Still Wish to Support?
There are many ways to support the Youth of the Year program and the teens it serves. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, making a donation, or getting involved, please contact:
Bree Smith
VP of Resource Development & Communications
bsmith@bgcconejo.org
818-706-0905 ext. 107
