This past Wednesday, six outstanding high school students took to the stage to share their stories, aspirations, and resilience at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley’s annual Youth of the Year celebration. In a moment of well-deserved recognition, this year’s winner is Evangelina, a junior at Appleton North High School who has been part of the Club for the past ten years.
More About Youth of the Year
Youth of the Year is the Club’s premier recognition program, honoring young people who exemplify leadership, service, academic excellence, and healthy living. This year’s event took place at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on the evening of Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Finalists for Youth of the Year complete a written application, essays, interviews, and a final speech. A panel of judges evaluate each to determine the winner and runner-up. Candidates share their stories, vision for America’s youth, and how Club experiences and programs have empowered them to find their voice and achieve success through mentorship and guidance with caring adults. Each finalist shares their speech during judging and at the event.
View Event PhotosMeet Evangelina – Youth of the Year Winner
This year’s winner, Evangelina, is a passionate writer and activist committed to amplifying diversity and representation in the literary world. The author of three books, she aspires to become a New York Times best-selling author.
A three-time Youth of the Year finalist, Evangelina said her focus this year was not on winning, but on connecting with and inspiring others. In her speech, she spoke candidly about rejection and the importance of perseverance, sharing:
“I’d love to show up for youth around the world with my writing, because everyone faces rejection at some point in their life. We all crave support, even if it’s through the pages of a book, and I’d love to be that guiding light as your Youth of the Year.”
She also reflected on the Club’s influence in her life:
“I’ve always loved the Club’s emphasis on creating driven leaders, and my experiences are nothing short of that… Being a triplet, my sisters and I have always wanted to be different from one another. One person who helped me discover my individuality was Miss Courtney, my STAR Coordinator at Einstein Middle School. She encouraged me to combine my two passions—activism and reading—into something new, which I found in writing.”
As the Youth of the Year winner, Evangelina receives a $1,000 post-secondary educational scholarship, renewable annually for up to four years. She will also have the opportunity to participate in the state Youth of the Year competition in Madison.
Meet Ella – Youth of the Year Runner Up
This year’s runner-up, Ella, a sophomore at Appleton North High School, has been part of the Club’s STAR initiative for four years. Known for her empathy and strong work ethic, Ella is passionate about promoting mental health awareness and hopes to pursue a career in psychology.
Thank Yous
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley would like to thank this year’s other finalists, Julian, Aliya, Sierra, and Jazlyn, for their participation and inspiring speeches at this year’s event! This event was made possible by this year’s event sponsors.
