Youth of the Year
We are thrilled to announce Taunton Clubhouse member, Kizzy N’gola Lopes, as Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South's 2025 Youth of the Year!
“Going to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South has never failed to be a light in my day. I’ve never not been able to find somebody that I can lean on for support or a friendly face to look to when I feel gray. To this day, BGCMS’ core concepts of community and equality have helped me to become more outgoing and more driven to seek after what I want in life".
- Kizzy N'Gola Lopes
Kizzy is a dedicated National Honor Society member and an active participant in a wide range of extracurriculars, including the African American Club, Jazz Band, Brass Choir, Drama Club, Choir, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band. She is passionate about giving back, volunteering regularly as a mentor, for the Band Council and as a Benefit Concert Coordinator. Miss Lopes’ busy schedule doesn’t stop there, she also serves as a Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, and Camp Counselor at BGCMS.
Like many members, Kizzy’s time in the Clubhouse has guided her to grow in many ways. Through exposure to various programs, this has allowed her to get out of her comfort zone. Participating in things that she never had experienced before such as chess, volleyball and more lends to discovering new interests and passions that might otherwise be never found. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South has also developed her social skills and given her more confidence to talk to a variety of age groups. She credits BGCMS to honing her leadership skills through being both a member and a staff member.
Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) holds a competition to award the most prestigious honor a teen can receive as a member of their local Boys & Girls Club. Youth of the Year is BGCA’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global, and integrated world economy.
Annually, one exceptional Club member is selected to be BGCA's National Youth of the Year, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth as well as a voice for all of our nation’s young people. Over the decades, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof of the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives.
Becoming National Youth of the Year is an exciting and inspiring journey. Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in local, state, and regional Youth of the Year events. Each local Club candidate is evaluated by an internal panel on the quality of personal essays, recommendation letters from teachers and Club staff members, academic transcripts, awards, and interviews.
Ultimately, six teens - including five regional winners and a national military youth winner - advance to Washington, D.C. for the National Youth of the Year Gala & Celebration Dinner, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson. The National Youth of the Year is a role model, leader, and advocate for the nearly 4 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year, and all of America’s young people!
Since 2017, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South's Youth of the Year character and leadership development program has been proudly and exclusively sponsored by The Phia Group, which generously provides the time, talent, and treasure needed to make this program so impactful for our members.
From members of their staff team serving as application coaches and judges for the YOY competition hosted at their corporate headquarters, to providing a college scholarship and laptop to the member ultimately selected as Youth of the Year each year, The Phia Group is there at every step of the way to amplify impact for our youth leaders!