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Since 1947, Youth of the Year (YOY) has been the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA's) premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year (NYOY), who serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and a strong voice for all of our nation's youth.
The journey to being named National YOY begins locally and progresses to the state, regional and national levels. To achieve the title of YOY on any level, Club members must embody the values of leadership and service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles and should exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.
In September 2012, BGCA added the Military Youth of the Year (MYOY) Program. Navy Youth and Teen Centers are military-affiliated BGCA clubs participating in the MYOY program. MYOY finalists compete in a military category at the local, state, and regional levels. The regional winners compete for the national MYOY. The national MYOY competes at the national YOY with the traditional club regional winners.
Naval Base Kitsap's Admiral Boorda Teen Center 2023-2024 MYOY is Cecilia, a junior at North Kitsap High School. Her father is currently serving on the USS Nimitz. She is a member of Navy CYP's Admiral Boorda Center, where she serves on the Youth Sponsorship Council and is the Keystone Club president. She is president of the Student Hosts Club, secretary of the Chess Club serves as a representative on the audition choir's leadership team, and is also a cheerleader. She does all of this while maintaining her academics. Cecilia serves her community by volunteering as a junior coach for Girls on the Run and serving as Ms. West Sound.
Cecilia was named the 2023 Washington State Military Youth of the Year and received a $2,500 scholarship after a selection process that included a speech, a judges' interview, and four essays. She also received the Cooperative Spirit Award, a $1,000 scholarship for outstanding performance to her community, mentoring younger members, and demonstrating what it means to give back to the community.
Cecilia advances to the Pacific Region Military Youth of the Year competition in San Diego in May.
