YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Lead. Succeed. Inspire.

Celebrating the young people who represent the very best of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manteca and Lathrop.

Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. It recognizes extraordinary young people for their leadership, service, academic excellence and commitment to living healthy, productive lives.

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Youth of the Year began nationally in 1947 and has grown into Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier leadership and recognition program.

Young people develop the communication, goal-setting, teamwork and leadership skills they'll carry into college, careers and their communities. Thousands of Club teens participate in local, state and regional Youth of the Year experiences, with finalists ultimately advancing toward the National Youth of the Year celebration.

Youth of the Year
Hall of Fame

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

For decades, Youth of the Year has recognized young people who stand out through leadership, character, service and achievement. Each name below represents a chapter in our Club’s history and a young person who made an impact on the people and community around them.

1985–86 · Anna Marie Echeverria
1986–87 · Chris Robertson
1987–88 · Scott Stinnett
1988–89 · James (Smurf) Smith
1989–90 · Alex Villanueva
1991 · Tim Wolski
1992 · Scott Johnson
1993 · Francisco Lopez
1994 · Jon Cardoza & Monica Perez
1995 · Gustavo Suarez & Jessica South
1996 · Nicole See, Bryan Lucas & Paul Bettencourt
1997 · Bruce Fonseca & Jamie South
1998 · Juliana Talavera & Ronnie Reed
1999 · Jennifer Chavez & Mike Lozano
2000 · Brittney Underhill & Jonathan Reed
2001 · Kimberly Taberna & JJ Bechere
2002 · Sara Officer & Steven (Bubba) Walton
2003 · Alyssa Medeiros & Thomas Burkhart
2004 · Kayela Medeiros & Alejandro Vidal
2005 · Milan Wilson & Jeremy Anderson
2008 · Andrea Ramirez & Mickey Lee
2009 · Devon Garcia
I2010 · Kayla Miller
2011 · David Ramirez & Angelica Martinez
2012 · Maliah Watson
2013 · Maliah Watson & Miguel Lopez
2014 · Trayana Davis & Emmanuel Torrez
2015 · Trayana Davis & Francisco Lopez Jr.
2016 · Kiana Watson & Eric Nascimento
2017 · Jocelyn Gutierrez

From Manteca to
the Next Level

In 2013, Miguel Lopez made Club history by becoming the first Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manteca and Lathrop to advance to the California state competition.

A Club member since age seven, Miguel credited the Club with helping him build confidence, find acceptance and believe in what was possible for his future.