Jayden Hasam set to receive college scholarships and vie for regional title this summer.

Missouri Youth of the Year – Jayden H.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, April 4, 2024 – Selected among eight outstanding youth, Jayden Hasam has been named the Missouri Youth of the Year, a prestigious award bestowed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Demonstrating remarkable leadership, service, academic excellence, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, Jayden’s journey embodies the essence of this esteemed honor. Now in its 77th year, the Youth of the Year program continues to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary potential of our nation’s youth as they navigate towards great futures.

As the newly named Missouri Youth of the Year, Jayden will serve as a role model and beacon of inspiration for teenagers across the state. Through select speaking engagements, he will share his compelling personal story, performing as an ambassador for the transformative impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs in shaping young lives. Jayden will be awarded a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and an additional $1,000 scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs Missouri Area Council. Moreover, he will advance to compete at the regional level this summer, with the potential to vie for the national title.

Jayden, a high school senior, is an eleven-year Club member at Thornberry Unit in Kansas City, Missouri. At the Boys & Girls Club, Jayden participates in many Club programs, including Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. He has taken on leadership roles at the Club through the Youth of the Year program. Jayden attributes much of his growth and development to Boys & Girls Clubs, citing programs like Passport to Manhood as instrumental in shaping his character. With a 3.7 GPA and active involvement in sports, including baseball, basketball, football, and track, Jayden aspires to pursue a degree in sports management following high school.

“We are incredibly proud of Jayden and all the Youth of the Year nominees,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor and accomplishment. As the Missouri Youth of the Year, Jayden will serve as a spokesperson for Boys & Girls Club kids and teens across the state who need more role models that they can admire and emulate.”

Founded in 1947 as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club. Toyota and Kohl’s are the Signature Sponsors of Youth of the Year, sharing a dedication to America’s youth. Toyota is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Boys & Girls Clubs and BGCA-affiliated Military Youth Centers provide life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to explore, develop and apply the essential skills they need to be successful in life and work; and Kohl’s is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure local Clubs and Youth Centers provide staff training and curriculum updates focused on trauma-informed care, building practices kids and teens will need to build great futures. As the Lead Sponsor of Youth of the Year, Mondelēz International, will engage with local Clubs and Youth Centers year-round to help foster a new generation of leaders prepared to live in and lead a diverse global economy.

Jayden will join other state Youth of the Year this summer to compete for the mid-west regional title. If named the regional Youth of the Year, he will be awarded an additional $20,000 college scholarship. The five finalists, along with the National Military Youth of the Year, will advance to the National Youth of the Year event in October 2024 to vie for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional scholarship of $50,000 and a brand-new Toyota Corolla.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.youthoftheyear.org.  

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

For over a century, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City has provided youth ages 5-18 a fun and safe environment to learn, play, meet new friends, and grow — with particular emphasis on youth who need us most. From sports, digital arts and media to group activities and tutoring, the Clubs provide caring adult mentors, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.

Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles to nearly 1,000 area youth each day. Whether it is learning how an individual can make a difference in their community or how to swim – the Clubs strive to help youth feel important and put their dreams of a Great Future within reach.

More information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City can be found online at www.helpkckids.org or facebook.com/helpkckids.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,900 Clubs serve over 4.3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native lands throughout the country and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.

# # #

For further inquiries, please contact:  Sharon Cleaver, Direct: 816-462-0136, Mobile: 816-674-3721, scleaver@helpkckids.org