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My Youth of the Year Journey
By: Diego Miller
2024 Citywide Youth of the Year
A year ago, I was a high school senior navigating my final year at Lowell High School and balancing my commitment to soccer and school leadership activities. That’s when I was nominated to participate in Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Youth of the Year program as the finalist from Mission Clubhouse.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I could take on another responsibility with everything else on my plate. But now, I can confidently say that being part of this program was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Over five months, I worked hard to develop leadership skills, honed my public speaking abilities, and learned to share my personal story through essays and speeches. It wasn’t always easy, but standing alongside other young leaders who are committed to making a difference made it all worthwhile. Being named the winner and the Citywide Youth of the Year was one of the most memorable moments of my life!
Today, I’m proud to say I’m in my second semester at the University of California, Merced, where I’m enjoying new academic challenges and continuing to play soccer. Reflecting on my Youth of the Year experience, I am reminded of how vital this program is in shaping confident, inspiring leaders.
That’s why I’m reaching out to invite you to the 2025 Youth of the Year Celebration on February 6th. This event is a powerful opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of this year’s finalists and to support a program that uplifts young voices and prepares them for a bright future. Whether you donate, attend, or simply learn more about the program, your involvement makes a difference.
I’ve seen how transformative the Youth of the Year program can be, and I believe wholeheartedly in its mission to amplify youth voices and equip them to lead. Please join me in celebrating the incredible achievements of this year’s participants.
Thank you for supporting tomorrow’s leaders!
Learn more about our Youth of the Year program here.
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At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Every day, our staff focus on creating safe spaces, meaningful relationships, and high-quality programs that help youth thrive.While we are not experts in areas such as immigration, food security, or healthcare, we understand that challenges such as this affect many families we serve. To help connect families with reliable sources of information and support, we’ve compiled a list of suggested community resources to investigate further.
This week, our Citywide Youth of the Year, Elda, competed in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2025 National Youth of the Year competition in Los Angeles. While she did not take home the national title, Elda’s recognition as one of six finalists nationwide is an incredible achievement and a testament to her determination, leadership, and the support of her community.
In a time marked by division, growing uncertainty, and financial instability, the families we serve are carrying a lot—and so are young people. From global conflict, political tensions, natural disasters, government funding cuts, and immigration enforcement, the emotional weight of the moment is real for families and communities. Kids are absorbing it, often without the tools to understand or express what they’re feeling. That’s why spaces like Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) are more important than ever.
