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Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year competition this week
Three teen finalists to compete for the organization's top honor in Benton Harbor
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan will hold its 2026 Youth of the Year competition on Wednesday, February 25 at the Joel E. Smilow Teen Center in Benton Harbor. Three teen candidates will compete for the organization's highest honor, 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 top recognition, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. The local event in Benton Harbor will showcase the community's future leaders and the positive impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
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 on Wednesday, February 25.
The players
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan
A local chapter of the national Boys & Girls Clubs organization that provides youth development programs and services to young people in the greater Southwest Michigan region.
Joel E. Smilow Teen Center
A Boys & Girls Clubs facility located in Benton Harbor, Michigan that hosts various youth programs and events.
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 event showcases the community's future leaders and the positive impact the organization has on young people through its focus on leadership, academic achievement, service, character, and public speaking.
