The road to becoming the next Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Youth of the Year is officially underway, culminating on one unforgettable night when BGCSTL’s young leaders take center stage at the 2026 Great Futures Gala.
The Great Futures Gala will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. This year’s theme, “Every Great Future Deserves a Standing Ovation,” will celebrate the determination, leadership and potential of Club kids and teens while raising critical funds to support BGCSTL programs. KMOV’s Anchor Morgan Harris and My St. Louis LIVE Host Damon Arnold will serve as emcees for this year’s Great Futures Gala, guiding guests through an evening designed to celebrate the stories, accomplishments and great futures of BGCSTL youth.
Last year’s Gala raised an impressive $660,000 to support young people throughout the St. Louis region.
At the heart of the evening is Youth of the Year, the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve. The program recognizes outstanding young people for their leadership and contributions to their Club, family, school and community.
The journey requires dedication. Candidates meet weekly to prepare for the competition, write an essay about their Club experience, develop and memorize a speech, and participate in an interview before a panel of judges. To be eligible, candidates must have attended Boys & Girls Clubs for two consecutive years and receive a recommendation from a Club leader.
Finalists will be announced ahead of the Gala, with each receiving a scholarship. The evening will culminate with the announcement of the 2026 BGCSTL Youth of the Year, who will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a new vehicle courtesy of Frank Leta Automotive.
“The Youth of the Year program has a lasting impact and inspires our young people. We are fortunate to have loyal partners like Frank Leta, who enhances the program by donating a vehicle to the winner. Together, we are breaking down barriers and building the leaders of tomorrow,” said Brandon Williams, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.
Join us Nov. 19 as our young leaders take the stage — because every great future deserves an audience, an investment and a standing ovation.
For Gala information, sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, visit BGCSTL.org.
###
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at twelve locations, including (Adams Park Club, Bentwood Townhomes Club, Bethalto Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.
