The New Jersey State Youth of the Year is the premier youth leadership program recognizing the extraordinary achievements of Boys & Girls Club teens. Youth of the Year candidates embody excellence in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s four priority outcome areas of Health and Well-Being, Character and Leadership, Academic Success, and Life and Workforce Readiness.

Each year, local New Jersey Boy & Girls Clubs select an outstanding teen (ages 14-18) to represent them in an inspiring journey toward becoming the New Jersey State Youth of the Year or Military Youth of the Year. With dedication and support from Club staff, nominees work hard to develop their public speaking, writing, and interview skills through training and mentorship.

Finalists participate in a formal interview before a distinguished panel of judges, where they are evaluated on public speaking, essays, interviews, and overall application quality. The judges then select the New Jersey State and Military Youth of the Year, who will be announced at the New Jersey Youth of the Year Reception and Award Ceremony on May 13, 2025, at Montclair State University. The sixteen Youth of the Year finalists will receive over $50,000 in scholarship funds to support their pursuit of higher education.

With additional support from National Signature Sponsor, Kohl’s, the Youth of the Year program empowers young leaders on their journey from local recognition to state, regional, and national competitions. The New Jersey State Youth of the Year will compete for the Northeast Regional Youth of the Year title in June, with a chance to earn a $20,000 renewable scholarship. In September, five regional winners and a national military youth winner will vie for the National Youth of the Year title and a $50,000 renewable scholarship.

The Youth of the Year program inspires and equips young people to lead, succeed, and serve as voices for their generation. It’s a life-changing experience proving that GREAT FUTURES START HERE—at Boys & Girls Clubs.

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