Riya is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound and a 2024 Washington State Youth of the Year finalist. She is an extraordinary teen who has helped her community thrive. Because of her outstanding community service and leadership, she was recently recognized by the City of Tacoma.
You can view this special moment by clicking the link below:
On April 11th and 12th 175 participants from ten Boys & Girls Clubs organizations throughout WA gathered at Angel Winds Casino and Resort for the inaugural Youth Development Professionals conference, “Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington are Future Ready!” This annual training event was brought back by local Club leaders after a decade-long hiatus to fulfill the training and networking needs of today’s Club staff throughout Washington. Modeled after Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national and regional conferences, the training event presented an in-depth look at best practices, fun ideas, safety enhancements and overall Club management topics requested by leaders and front-line workers throughout our 171 Club footprint. 26 sessions focused on topics like Outcome Driven Club Experience, Building a Teen Leadership Keystone Program, Basics of Management and Hands-On Gym Games.
Club professionals enjoyed some time networking and building cross-organizational relationships. Bowling, “Find Your Person” scavenger hunt, many ice-breakers and delicious meals brought Youth Development Professionals from diverse backgrounds and communities for the benefit of building a world-class Club experience for WA Club kids and teens!
We are very grateful to a multi-Club planning committee, led by Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County’s Chief Operating Officer Marci Volmer, for leading the way in organizing and hosting the first annual YDP Conference. In 2026, the team at Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA will carry on the torch of professional development for Club staff statewide.
Watch the video for a recap of the State Youth of the Year Gala reception!
The 2025 WA State Youth of the Year program combined many time-tested events and traditions with some new elements. This three-day youth leadership event kicked off with a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia, where participating youth were officially introduced and presented with their finalist credentials. State Representative Julia Reed, a Boys & Girls Club alumna, served as the event’s emcee, and fondly recalled her time at her Seattle Club. Kurt C. Jr. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County was awarded the $1,500 Community Service scholarship for his extensive community service inside and outside his RMAC Club in Lacey.
Over the next couple of days, our 16 finalists participated in leadership development activities such as an interview practice workshop hosted by the HR team at the Washington State Employees Credit Union and a speech prep workshop at the Henry T. Schatz Boys & Girls Club in Lakewood. For fun, they visited a selfie museum in Seattle and rode around in a limo to visit some of Seattle’s best sites.
We are excited to announce that after an extensive selection process, Natalia S.-R. from the BGCA-affiliated Youth Center at Joint Base Lewis McChord was named as the 2025 WA State Military Youth of the Year, and Kurt C. Jr. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County as the 2025 WA State Youth of the Year. Both Natalia and Kurt will advance to the Pacific Region Youth of the Year competition which will take place on June 3rd and 4th in Los Angeles, CA.
We want to thank all of the Club staff, our judges, and our sponsors for providing support and contributing time and expertise to help us organize yet another fantastic leadership development experience for our Club youth!
We’d also like to thank our wonderful sponsors of the 2025 WA State Youth of the Year!
On March 10th and 11th over a dozen CEOs of local Boys & Girls Clubs gathered in Olympia, WA for the annual advocacy days. This event provides civic education for Club teens, who participate in the Clubhouse in Columbia event and join local Club leaders in engaging their elected officials for advocacy for Clubs’ legislative priorities.
Clubhouse in Columbia event transforms a large meeting space on the ground floor of the Capitol building into a Boys & Girls Clubhouse, complete with bright signage, games like Connect Four, Jenga and tabletop billiards. Staff and teens from local Clubs engage with visiting legislators by sharing about great programs and youth engagement events back home.
This year’s legislative priorities for participating Club organizations included new capital budget investments in Club facilities and continuation of the Mental Health Promotion Pilot in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additionally, the State Alliance facilitated a town hall for Club CEOs to engage with policy staff at the Governor’s Office as well as with the WA State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer.
The 2025 Washington State Youth of the Year will kick off a bit differently but it’ll still be magical! We’ll begin on the night of Tuesday, March 25th, with a new Dinner Reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Finalists will be able to meet each other, and we’ll recognize a teen with the 2025 Community Service Award. We’re inviting state legislators to attend so that they can meet the youth and hear their speeches.
Next up we’ll gather Wednesday morning at the Lacey Club for breakfast, followed by an interview workshop sponsored by WSECU. Youth will then reconvene at a Club in Tacoma where they’ll get to help each other refine their speeches. This is one of the most significant moments of the three-day event, where youth transform from competitors to community! In the evening, teens will then have an opportunity to go on a limo ride around Seattle, stopping for dessert and to take photos at Kerry Park.
On Thursday, finalists will meet one by one with a panel of judges to practice their interview and public speaking skills. Our judges this year include representatives from Swire Coca-Cola, Qualstar Credit Union, a former WA State Youth of the Year winner, and a representative from our Presenting Sponsor, Umpqua Bank. The big announcement will cap our three-day adventure at the Celebration Dinner on Thursday night, March 27th, 2025. Finally, we’ll host an afterparty for the finalists and Youth of the Year alumni in Seattle, where they can meet and let loose after an intense but mentally and emotionally enriching experience.
