2027 Youth of the Year Celebration
Youth of the Year
Lead, Succeed, Inspire
Recognizing Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today
Where resilience meets opportunity and potential becomes purpose.
The Program:
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 Us Tuesday, February 2, 2027
Location and time: Los Robles Greens, 299 S. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
We’re thrilled to welcome you back for our second annual Youth of the Year Luncheon, a powerful afternoon where our community comes 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:
11:00 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. Ticket sales close Friday, January 29.
12:00 PM – Program Begins
- Welcome & Introductions
- Club Youth of the Year Candidates Share Their Speeches
- Agency-Wide Youth of the Year Announcement & Closing Remarks
The Candidates:
Young People Who Inspire
Meet Our Youth of the Year Candidates
Come ready to be inspired. Our Club 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.
Jessica
Catlin Family
Boys & Girls Club
Jessica is a senior at Agoura High School and a member of the Catlin Family Club, where she has found her voice and turned personal challenges into a passion for advocating for others. Recently selected to serve on Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Advisory Council, she hopes to study women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and journalism after high school to help amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
Andre
Marion & John E. Anderson
Boys & Girls Club
Andre is a freshman at Thousand Oaks High School and a member of the Marion & John E. Anderson Club. He loves taking part in every athletic program the Club offers and enjoys getting outside, staying active, and meeting new people. As a Keystone Club member and volunteer, he also serves as a referee, building his leadership skills while supporting fellow Club members. After high school, Andre hopes to attend a local college and pursue his interest in becoming a zoologist or veterinarian.
Kaden
Rocky & Lon Morton
Boys & Girls Club
Kaden is a freshman at Westlake High School and a member of the Rocky & Lon Morton Club. He enjoys participating in all of the Club’s athletic programs, where he has fun, builds community, and learns how to communicate and work as a team. After high school, Kaden plans to attend college and major in engineering or computer science.
Macy
Cal & Marje Johnston
Boys & Girls Club
Macy is a sophomore at Westlake High School and a member of the Cal & Marje Johnston Club. Her favorite program is Torch Club, where she enjoyed planning teen nights, supporting Bring a Friend Friday, seeking donations from local businesses, and working at the snack shack. These experiences helped her develop leadership skills while having fun and learning what it takes to be a leader in her community. After high school, Macy hopes to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study ocean engineering or marine biology.
Mariana
John L. Notter Family
Boys & Girls Club
Mariana is a sophomore at Thousand Oaks High School and a member of the John L. Notter Family Club. Her favorite programs are art and cooking, where she enjoys connecting with others who share her passion for art, exploring different foods, and helping lead cooking activities for fellow Club members. After high school, Mariana hopes to attend Cal State Long Beach and major in education or liberal studies on her path to becoming a teacher.
Sponsorship:
Be a Champion for Youth
Sponsoring Youth of the Year
Your partnership doesn’t just support an event, it fuels the year-round programming that helps teens like our Youth of the Year candidates find their voices and step into leadership. 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 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:
Taco Bell / Engen Enterprises Inc.
Table Sponsors:
TBD
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 explore or “Ways to Give” page or contact:
Len Smolburd, President & CEO
Telephone: 818-706-0905
Email: lsmolburd@bgcconejo.org
