Four Teens Named 2026 Youth of the Year Finalists
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis selected four finalists from a field of 10 teenagers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Youth
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis announced four finalists for the 2026 Youth of the Year award on Monday. The finalists are Toritseju A., Legacy J., Leon N. and Lakshita R., all from the Teen Center of Excellence / St. Louis Internship Program.
Why it matters
The Youth of the Year program recognizes teenagers from the local Boys & Girls Clubs community for their achievements and leadership. The award provides scholarships and a vehicle to the winner, offering tangible support for young people in St. Louis.
The Youth of the Year winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a vehicle courtesy of Frank Leta Automotive, while other finalists receive scholarships. The winner has not yet been announced.
The players
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
A local youth development organization that operates community clubs offering mentoring, education and enrichment programs for young people in the St. Louis area.
Frank Leta Automotive
A St. Louis-area automotive dealership group that provides the vehicle awarded to the Youth of the Year winner.
The details
The four finalists were chosen from 10 teenagers and will be recognized at the annual Great Futures Gala at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. The overall winner will be announced at the event.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Four finalists announced on Monday.
November 19, 2026, 6 p.m.: Youth of the Year winner announced at the Great Futures Gala at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.
Youth Recognition Landscape
The St. Louis selection mirrors the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program, in which local club winners advance through regional rounds toward a national honor. Local finalist announcements like this one feed into that broader recognition structure for teens in youth development programs.
Families and teens in St. Louis can watch the November 19 gala to learn the winner, and the award's $5,000 scholarship signals the financial support available through local Boys & Girls Clubs programs. Residents interested in youth development can follow the Clubs' recognition events for future opportunities.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like Youth of the Year highlight how local youth development organizations can open pathways to scholarships and mentorship for teens in St. Louis. Following community events such as the Great Futures Gala offers a way to see those achievements celebrated publicly.
What happens next
The Youth of the Year winner will be announced at the Great Futures Gala on November 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.
Further reading
Explore more local stories in the Youth section for context on teen programs in St. Louis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.
