(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey proudly announces the 2025 New Jersey Youth of the Year finalists, representing 16 Clubs across the state. This esteemed recognition celebrates outstanding Club teens for their inspiring leadership, dedication to service, academic excellence, and commitment to healthy lifestyles. These exceptional finalists embody the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs, demonstrating the transformative impact of Clubs in empowering young people and shaping bright futures.
Each year, two outstanding teens are recognized as the New Jersey State and Military Youth of the Year -- the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve – serving as inspiring ambassadors for Boys & Girls Club youth and representing the next generation of leaders.
“We are immensely proud of all the New Jersey Youth of the Year finalists—these remarkable Club teen leaders truly deserve to be celebrated,” said Susan Haspel, State Director of Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey. “Earning the title of New Jersey Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor and achievement. Our New Jersey State and Military Youth of the Year winners will serve as influential voices for Boys & Girls Club youth and inspiring role models for young people everywhere.”
With Presenting sponsorship support from Amazon, Comcast and the BRAM Auto Group, the 2025 New Jersey Youth of the Year celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 13, at Montclair State University’s Conference Center Ballroom in Montclair, NJ. This exciting evening will highlight the 16 Club teen honorees and culminate in an award ceremony announcing the 2025 New Jersey State and Military Youth of the Year winners. It is our honor to welcome back Jacquelyn A. Suárez, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as our Keynote address. She is the first Hispanic commissioner to lead the DCA and committed to the Department’s ongoing mission to provide residents, local governments, businesses, and community development organizations with financial support, administrative guidance, and technical assistance to help improve the quality of life for New Jersey families.
Violeta Yas, Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and member of NBC4 New York’s Storm Team 4 weather team, will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies. Growing up, Yas was a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garfield and is a strong advocate of the Boys & Girls Club Movement. She was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Wall of Fame in 2022.
For more than 75 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year programs has recognized young people for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to health and wellbeing.The Youth of the Year program is supported by Kohl’s as the Signature Sponsor. Kohl’s is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Clubs and Youth Centers provide staff training and curriculum focused on trauma-informed care, fostering practices kids and teens will need to build great futures.
This June, the NJ State and Military winners join other state Youth of the Year to vie for the Northeast regional title. If named the regional Youth of the Year, they will be awarded an additional $20,000 college scholarship. Then in September, the five regional finalists, along with the National Military Youth of the Year, will advance to vie for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year, receiving an additional scholarship of $50,000.
For more information about the New Jersey Youth of the Year program, event and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey is a statewide alliance of 21 Boys & Girls Club organizations, serving more than 59,000 youth ages 5-18 across the Garden State. This collaborative network works to strengthen local Clubs, raise public awareness, and secure resources to expand their impact and reach.
