Author: Sarah Durham

Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County’s 2025 Youth of the Year, Colton H., was just announced a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. He is one of only two from Skagit County this year–there are 390 in Washington State and a total of 16,000 nationwide. Around 1.3 million high school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Current semifinalists around the country make up less than 1% of the nation’s high school seniors. Colton received a perfect score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which is used to screen applicants.

Semifinalists are expected to compete for 6,930 scholarships worth $26 million that will be offered next spring. Around 95% of semifinalists are expected to move on to become a finalist in the competition, and about half of those will win a scholarship and the prestigious title of merit scholar.

“It’s a huge honor,” Colton told a local paper, the Anacortes American, recently, in regard to being named a semifinalist. “I’m humbled and excited.”

Colton is a state debate champion and varsity tennis player, who also serves as the director of legislative affairs on Washington’s Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Earlier this year, he became Washington’s second-ever student to win the Ninth Circuit Civics Essay Contest. Colton is also the youth director for Anacortes-based Sunflower F.U.N.D., an organization that’s been raising money for Ukrainian aid organizations since Russia invaded the country in 2022. Colton plans to attend a four-year university and study public policy.

Congratulations, Colton!

The Ripken Summer Camp is a five-day overnight experience for youth nationwide.

Sponsored by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, the camp occurs every year and only about 200 youth are chosen to attend. This year, there were 202 youth from 21 states and Washington, D.C. that participated in the camp held in Aberdeen, Maryland. Representing all of Washington State and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, six youth from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation were chosen to be campers this year. Throughout this intense week, campers were able to be a part of baseball and softball skills and fitness drills, honing their talent in the sport and building teamwork, endurance, resilience, and leadership skills.

Arriving in Maryland on Monday, August 4th, the youth and their mentors had the time of their lives by not only playing baseball and softball, but doing a ropes course, a zipline, going swimming, and attending a minor league baseball game. During the latter, campers were able to witness firsthand the skills they learned at camp being utilized by professional athletes. Campers and mentors left Maryland on Friday, August 8th. Travel to and from the camp was courtesy of Southwest Airlines, who wanted to ensure the youth were able to realize this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Representatives from the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation then attended the Badges for Baseball event and BBQ at the Colville Reservation on August 20th where they were able to reunite with the youth campers and their mentors. Thank you to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Southwest Airlines, and the many other youth supporters that made the camp possible for these kids!

After more than 11 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement, I’ve made a difficult but exciting decision about the next chapter of my professional life, departing BGCWA to serve as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Providence St. Peter Southwest Washington Foundation.

Throughout my journey with the Clubs, I have been surrounded by the most outstanding professionals caring for thousands of youth in our Clubs throughout WA. Their dedication and commitment to our mission has inspired me to work hard and to bring passion and creativity to advocating for Clubs with our government and philanthropic partners. Walking through the blue doors of our local Clubs, seeing kids and teens enjoying our safe spaces and supportive programs has always been a highlight of my time with Boys & Girls Clubs. And what is most inspiring, is that in Washington, local Clubs do an outstanding job in collaborative work for greater collective impact. It is evidenced by the commitment of resources for staff training, frequent networking and collaboration among the Club leadership, focused work by our board members through the Alaska/Washington Area Council, and our statewide deep impact programs, such as our recent Youth Mental Health Promotion Pilot in partnership with the Norcliffe Foundation and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Clubs in Washington are leading the way for our Club kids and teens to be Future Ready! Whether or not I am directly connected to the Movement in the future, I will always wholeheartedly support and invest in this mission. And I hope you’ll join me by finding ways to engage and uplift the organization that strives to inspire all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

With all my heart,
Katya Miltimore

Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington’s Mental Health Promotion Pilot was mentioned in the recent edition of National Academies of Science’s Consensus Study Report.

You can read the section of the report that mentions BGCWA here, and by scrolling down to page 54.

In early June, Kurt C. Jr. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County and the 2025 Washington State Youth of the Year, headed to Los Angeles for the Pacific Region Youth of the Year event. Beforehand, Kurt and his mentor Latasha took in the sights of LA, including Universal Studios, the Santa Monica Pier, and Hollywood Boulevard. Kurt was able to connect with the other outstanding youth running for the Pacific Region Youth of the Year title and even got to hang out with a NBA legend A.C. Green.

Although Kurt was not selected to compete at the National level, he was overjoyed for those who were.

Kurt has done so much for his community and the Club. As far as speaking engagements, Kurt has presented at the Lacey Rotary, the Olympia Rotary, the City of Lacey – Council, and several Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County fundraising events.

Kurt was the vice president of the Black Student Union, part of the National Honor Society, and received the highest honors when graduating from North Thurston High School. He participated in the Running Start program, where high schoolers can take college courses while simultaneously working towards their high school diploma. The ultimate goal of the Running Start program is to graduate high school with an associate’s degree. That’s exactly what Kurt did, graduating from South Puget Sound Community College with high honors and on the Presidents List. Kurt’s next stop is to pursue a bachelor’s in education.

When asked about the Youth of the Year program, Kurt said, “I feel accomplished and proud of all I’ve achieved as 2025 WA State Youth of the Year. The connections I’ve made and the powerful stories I’ve heard continue to inspire me. Sharing my story reminds me that I am a guiding light for others; just as they’ve been for me.”

When reflecting on his experience at the Pacific Region event, Kurt had this to say, “Participating in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year Pacific Region competition has been a powerful part of my Youth of the Year journey. It pushed me to grow as a leader and allowed me to build meaningful connections with other inspiring teens from across the region. I’m grateful for the experience and want to send a big congratulations to Elda from San Francisco–wishing you all the best!” Elda was the 2025 winner of the Pacific Region Youth of the Year program.

We’re so proud of Kurt for all his hard work and for representing Washington so well. We wish him the very best and know he will continue to shine!

Pearle, an alumna of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, and a 2022 and 2024 Washington State Youth of the Year finalist, has released her first single, titled, “Another You.”

Performing the country song for a few thousand Boys & Girls Club staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference at the beginning of May, Pearle was met with applause and cheers from the crowd. You can view the performance below.

We’re excited about Pearle’s continued accomplishments. From singing the National Anthem at two Major League Baseball World Series games, to attending college in Illinois, to now releasing her first single and working on her first ever album, Pearle is chasing her dreams, powered by support from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. You can find out more about Pearle’s journey by reading about it in this MLB article.

Congratulations, Pearle, and we wish you continued success!