Meet Our Youth of the Year, Emilee

Emilee's Story

 

"There was a time in my life when I felt invisible."

When Emilee first walked through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club, she was quiet and uncertain. She remembers hoping someone would notice her. Then, a staff member did something simple, yet life-changing.

"Go sit at that desk," the staff member said.

It may have been a small gesture, but for Emilee, that desk became something much bigger. It was a safe place where conversations happened, where she began to understand that the Club wasn't just somewhere to spend time after school. It was a place to belong, a place to grow. "The club gave me mentors and peers who encouraged me to become a better person," she said. 

Now a junior at Parkview High School, Emilee was recently named the 2026 Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. The highest recognition a Club member can receive, the award recognizes leadership, service, academic success, and resilience. 

 

 

With this honor, BGC Partners in Education awarded Emilee at $20,000 scholarship, and she is traveling to Jefferson City this week to compete at the State level. There, she will contend for an additional $2,000 scholarship and a chance to advance to the regional and national level. 

Whether it's spearheading a fundraiser, chairing her school concert band, or leading a canned food drive, Emilee's dedication to service shines at the Club. "One of my favorite memories was participating in Day of Caring," Emilee said. "Our Keytsone Club helped serve breakfast to volunteers before they went out to support nonprofits throughout the community. Later that day, those same volunteers came back and helped repair things at my Club. That experience taught me something powerful: Kindness creates momentum. When you give, others give back." 

 

 

Kindness creates momentum. 

Through programs like Keystone, Emilee has grown into a generous, empathetic leader. "Helping others reminds me of what my parents taught me, to always be there for people, especially when times are hard," Emilee said,"The Club helped me find my voice and believe in myself. It's my second home." 

Emilee is also passionate about music and the arts, this year serving as drum major at Parkview High School, with dreams of becoming a music therapist. After graduation, she hopes to attend Drury University. 

The national Youth of the Year winners serves as a role model, leader and advocate for over 3.6 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation each year. Emilee is already living that example. With her compassion, leadership, and belief in the power of kindness, there is little doubt she will represent her Club, and her community, with heart.