As we get older, all but the strongest memories fade. One of my strongest memories from when I was in grade school is visiting my much-older sister for the summer. We did all sorts of fun activities, including going to the beach, which I remember vividly. I remember learning as well, including things like leadership development, how to make new friends and more. These strong memories are all linked to the Boys & Girls Club my sister worked at and where I spent my summers. Decades later, it’s heartening to see the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC) continuing similar work, providing youth enrichment in Olympia, leadership development and post-secondary scholarship opportunities. And, each year they celebrate youth that have gone above and beyond at the Club with their Youth of the Year award. The community is invited and encouraged to attend this free event to show their support for these incredible youth on February 7, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Raj Manhas Activities Center branch in Olympia.
“Youth of the Year is the premier recognition program for teens (14-18 years old),” shares Mike Babauta, Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County director of resource development. “Each finalist has exhibited excellence in leadership, academics, service, and health and wellbeing.”
Announcing the 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Youth of the Year Finalists
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is proud to announce the names of the 2025 Youth of the Year finalists:
Yelm Club: Emma Maze
Kaila Celeste Lacey Club: Kate Philippi
RMAC Club: Kurt Cavalier
Tumwater Club: Ian Arcelay
Olympia Club: LeBron Kaufman
Youth today face challenges that many of us never dreamed of. They are incredibly resourceful, often having to grow up way too fast. The Youth of the Year program is a way to celebrate and show support for youth that have created a path out of adversity.
To become a finalist, youth members at each BGCTC location write speeches on what the Club means to them. “The program gives youth the opportunity to tell their story,” shares CEO Shellica Trevino. “They reflect on goals they have achieved, and, in some cases, challenges they have overcome. There is deep value in reflecting on one’s journey, through this program our youth are able to do just that. In addition, they gain skills in public speaking, writing, and the program gives them the chance to grow socially.”
The youth go through an extensive process before the main event. Each youth submits an application that includes their speech, essays, letters of recommendation, as well as their academic transcript. A panel of judges reviews their materials, the youth deliver their speeches, and they are interviewed by the panel. The judges score each student, and a winner is chosen per branch as a finalist. They then move on to compete at the county level. Prior to the Community Celebration, finalists and the runners up attend a full weekend retreat where they continue to work on speech writing, essays, public speaking, and more. This prepares them for the county and state competitions.
“If I was chosen as the YOY for 2025, I would be very excited and happy because my parents and friends would be proud of me,” shares Ian Arcelay, finalist from the Tumwater BGCTC. “People from other places can hear my words [from my speech] and maybe that can help them.”
Youth of the Year Finalists Receive Post-Secondary Scholarship, Acts as Ambassador
Emma Maze, Kate Philippi, Kurt Cavalier, Ian Arcelay and LeBron Kaufman will all be honored at the February 7 event for their efforts through the Club and in their personal lives. Four of them will be awarded a $1,500 post-secondary education scholarship from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County’s Bruno and Evelyne Betti Scholarship Endowment.
The winner of the county Youth of the Year title will receive the Duane and Lillian Stookey Scholarship, in the amount up to the equivalent of one year’s annual tuition at a state university in Washington and go on to the state competition, where they will join youth from across the state.
Each finalist will also act as an ambassador for their respective club locations for 2025, while the county Youth of the Year honoree will act as an ambassador for their club location as well as for Thurston County as a whole (and possibly the state!) “Duties may include speaking to local service organizations, assisting in guided tours of the Clubs, or mentoring younger Club members-especially those who have aspirations to run for YOY in the future,” explains Babauta. “The County winner also has additional duties like speaking at donor events, hosting next year’s YOY event and our Foundation for the Future Breakfast.”
2025 Youth of the Year Event
Take some time out of your busy schedule to support, encourage and celebrate these incredible youth who are working hard to have a bright future. Enjoy light desserts and coffee as you listen to these youth tell their stories in their own words. And learn the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is having on our youth.
“This event represents the ‘why’ for our organization, donors, and partners. The Youth of the Year event is not a fundraiser but a FRIENDraiser,” shares Babauta.
“Our hope is that attendees learn more about the important work happening in our nine Clubs each day, and the best way to learn more is to hear directly from the youth we serve!” shares Trevino.
You can RSVP to the free Youth of the Year event online.
The BGCTC’s mission is to “inspire and enable youth to realize their greatness.” They do this through their many youth enrichment programs in Olympia, and throughout Thurston County. To learn more, visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County website.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Youth of the Year
February 7, 2024
7 p.m.
Raj Manhas Activity Center
200 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Olympia
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