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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan Holds Youth of the Year Competition
Three teen candidates will compete for the organization's highest honor next Wednesday.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan will hold its 2026 Youth of the Year competition next Wednesday, February 25 at the Joel E. Smilow Teen Center in Benton Harbor. Three teen candidates will compete for the organization's top recognition, which is based on leadership, academic achievement, service, character, and public speaking.
Why it matters
The Youth of the Year program is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's most prestigious recognition, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of club members. The local competition in Benton Harbor highlights the positive impact the organization has on young people in the community.
The details
The event, themed 'A Night of Honor, a Future of Impact,' will feature speeches from the finalists and celebrate their accomplishments before a panel of judges, family members, and community leaders. The winner of the local competition will go on to compete at the Michigan Youth of the Year competition this spring.
- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan will hold its 2026 Youth of the Year competition next Wednesday, February 25.
The players
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan
A local chapter of the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization, which provides after-school programs and services to youth in the greater Southwest Michigan region.
Joel E. Smilow Teen Center
A facility operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan in Benton Harbor, Michigan that hosts the local Youth of the Year competition.
Indiana Michigan Power Foundation
The sponsor of the local Youth of the Year competition in Benton Harbor.
Raymond James
The national sponsor of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth of the Year program.
What’s next
The winner of the local Youth of the Year competition in Benton Harbor will go on to compete at the Michigan Youth of the Year competition this spring.
The takeaway
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan's Youth of the Year competition celebrates the achievements of local teens and their positive impact on the community, highlighting the important role the organization plays in supporting youth development.
