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Each year, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with the Department of Defense, selects a member from the military youth center community as the National Military Youth of the Year.
The program was created in 2013 to celebrate military-connected teens who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service skills, as well as a strong dedication to academic excellence. Out of the many teens who participate in local, state and regional competitions, five are selected as finalists.
On Aug. 8, the 2024 National Military Youth of the Year was announced as Taylor R., a rising high school senior and an active member of the Naval Support Activity Bahrain Youth Center. Over the course of six years, Taylor has become an integral part of his Boys and Girls Club affiliated youth center, aiding with coaching their football, basketball, and soccer leagues, as well as reviving their Keystone Club and serving in the Teen Employment Program. Taylor has also achieved a 4.15 GPA with over 215 community service hours in the past 12 months.
Taylor credits his Boys and Girls Club affiliated youth center as a big part of his development as a leader.
“From first to eleventh grade I have spent time with caring staff that prepared me to become the confident, forward-thinking leader that I am today. From a very young age, I learned the importance of hard work, respect, setting an example for others and leading my peers,” he stated.
He also points to his various experiences in Boys and Girls Club affiliated youth centers as a child when discussing his open perspective of all people. “I believe that recognizing and celebrating our differences empowers us to reach our full potential as individuals and as a generation,” said Taylor.
During the state and regional levels of the Military Youth of the Year program, Taylor was awarded $22,500 in college scholarships. At the National Military Youth of the Year celebration in Washington, D.C., Taylor was awarded an additional $20,000 scholarship, bringing his total scholarship amount to $42,500. After high school graduation, he plans to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he will study engineering, music and education.
For more information, visit https://www.bgca.org/programs/youth-of-the-year/.
