The board and staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota are proud to recognize three amazing youth through the 2025-26 Youth of the Year program: Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Brennan T., Eastside Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Ledon B., and Southside Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Brook’Lynn H.
About our Youth of the Year
Eastside Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year Ledon B.
Ledon B. has been a member of the Eastside Boys & Girls Club for 6 years. He is currently a freshman at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Ledon has participated in many programs at the Club, including Cooking Club, Torch Club, Money Matters, Career Launch, Passport to Manhood & Stage Crew. He is also involved in Diggin’ Diversity and Trio Upward Bound at school. Ledon said that participating in the Club’s culinary arts programming helped him find a passion for baking. He plans to attend Hennepin Technical College for culinary arts and wants to own his own bakery in the future.
Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year Brennan T.
Brennan T. has been a member of the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club for 4 years. He is currently a freshman at Apollo High School. Brennan has participated in the following Club programs: CareerSTART, Career Launch, Money Matters, Passport to Manhood, SMART Moves-Emotional Wellness, Triple Play, UPS Road Code, STEM-Coding, Art Programming, Esports & basketball. Brennan is passionate about basketball and plays on the basketball team at school. He serves as a basketball mentor for younger members at the Club. Brennan dreams of playing for the NBA someday.
Southside Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN’s Youth of the Year Brook’Lynn H.
Brook’Lynn H. is the Southside Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year and has participated in Club programs since she was in kindergarten. She is a senior at Cathedral High School. Brook’Lynn has taken advantage of many programs and opportunities offered through the Club, including: Career Launch, Career Start, SMART Girls, Healthy Habits and Cavity Free Zone. She has also served as an emcee for Boys & Girls Club showcases. She is actively involved with the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. Brook’Lynn serves on the Club’s local teen advisory council as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Advisory Council. Upon graduation, Brook’Lynn plans to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, GA to get a degree in law. She plans to focus on family law and become a criminal prosecuting attorney.
Video of Youth of the Year:
About the Youth of the Year Program
In order to participate in the Youth of the Year program, youth must be at least 14 years old, have been a Club member for a minimum of two years and be willing to share their testimony on how the Boys & Girls Club has made a positive impact on their lives. Youth, supported by their Club’s adult mentor, prepare a packet for judges, which includes a recommendation from a Club staff, an essay on Club Experience, the youth’s membership highlights and school and community involvement, and statements on What Matters To Me and Personal Growth. Youth also present a 3-minute speech.
The local Youth of the Year program took place at the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club on November 19, 2025. The two Youth of the Year judges, Evan Larson from GLT Architects and Tammy Dohanick from Gallagher, were tasked with reviewing the packets and speeches and interviewing each youth before determining who would receive the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota Youth of the Year for 2025-26.
“Each year it’s an incredibly difficult decision for our judges,” said VP of Operations Geri Bechtold. “Our Club youth are all so amazing. By participating in Boys & Girls Club programs, each of these youth has developed strong character and resilience, and the Youth of the Year program helps them continue to build leadership and public speaking skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.”
Local Youth of the Year Receptions
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota board and staff members invite the community to a reception honoring Brook’Lynn H. as Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota 2025-26 Youth of the Year. The reception will be at 4:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026 at the Southside Boys & Girls Club (1205 6th Ave. S., St. Cloud). A brief program will begin at 4:45 p.m. recognizing Brook’Lynn, who will then share her Boys & Girls Club testimony.
We will also host a private reception for Brennan T., his family, friends and school leadership at the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club and for Ledon B., his family, friends and school leadership at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Club’s State Youth of the Year Event
As Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s 2025-26 Youth of the Year, Brook’Lynn will go on to participate at the state level in the Twin Cities on March 24, 2026.
In recognition of Brook’Lynn’s accomplishments as the 2025-26 Youth of the Year, she will receive a $1,000 Youth of the Year local scholarship. She will also receive a scholarship through her participation in the state Youth of the Year competition. The Minnesota Youth of the Year will receive a $20,000 Home Team scholarship from the professional sports organizations in the state of Minnesota. State winners participate in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s regional competition. Five regional winners receive a $20,000 scholarship and participate on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $50,000 scholarship.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year embodies the organization’s three priority outcome areas of leadership, character and service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. The Youth of the Year is selected based on the following criteria: academic achievement; communication and relationship skills; leadership and teamwork; character, honesty and integrity. Local Clubs recognize Youths of the Month and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in the state competition.