Winners to Now Vie for State Title and Additional Educational Scholarships

Youth of the Year – Jayden H.

Junior Youth of the Year – Dalayne J.

Kansas City, Missouri, February 7, 2024 –

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City proudly announces Jayden H. from the Thornberry Unit as the 2024 Youth of the Year and Dalayne J. from the Nowlin Middle School site as the Junior Youth of the Year. These remarkable individuals exemplify the values of leadership, service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles, embodying the transformative impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs.

As the Youth of the Year for Greater Kansas City, Jayden H. will serve as a role model and brand ambassador, sharing his inspiring personal journey at select speaking engagements. A high school senior at Ewing Marion Kauffman School and an eleven-year Club member, Jayden has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership. He receives a $2,500 educational scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and will advance to compete in the Missouri State Youth of the Year Celebration in April 2024, with the opportunity to earn additional scholarships totaling up to $75,000 as he progresses to the national competition in Washington D.C.

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.

Similarly, Dalayne J., the Junior Youth of the Year, represents the spirit of excellence and achievement fostered by the Clubs. A seventh-grader at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle School, Dalayne is actively engaged in the Clubs’ arts program and SMART Girls Program. She envisions attending college in the future, although her specific career path is still undecided. Dalayne will progress to the Missouri State Junior Youth of the Year Celebration, poised to continue her journey of growth and leadership.

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members and recognizing their positive contributions to their communities. To achieve the title of Youth of the Year on any level, Club members have demonstrated that they embody the values of leadership and service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. By empowering young people to reach their full potential, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City continues to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, please 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 more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 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. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more on Facebook and X .

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