Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (BGCNF) announced their 2023 Youth of the Year winners at the Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony and Alumni Club Reception on Feb. 23. Shown from left are BGCNF President & CEO Paul Martinez, THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC) Club Teen Lead Coach Penn, TPC Club Unit Director Rona Welch, elementary Youth of the Year Jordyn W., high school Youth of the Year Ambrosia C., middle school Youth of the Year Tyler H., and Senior Director of 21st Century Clubs Lendward Griffin.
Boys & Girls Clubs Announces Local Youth of the Year Winners
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida’s 2023 Youth of the Year winners are shown at the Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony and Alumni Club Reception on Feb. 23. From left are elementary Youth of the Year Jordyn W., high school Youth of the Year Ambrosia C. and middle school Youth of the Year Tyler H.
JACKSONVILLE, FL, Feb. 24, 2023: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida announced the winners of their local 2023 Youth of the Year competition, the organization’s highest honor for young leaders, at the Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony and Alumni Club Reception on Feb. 23 at the Florida Blue Conference Center.
All three local Youth of the Year winners attend THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC) Boys & Girls Club in St. Augustine. The winners are Ambrosia C. for the high school category, Tyler H. for middle school and Jordyn W. for elementary.
As the local high school Youth of the Year, Ambrosia will represent Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida in upcoming state, regional and national competitions through Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She will also be the local teen spokesperson, advocate and voice of her peers throughout the year.
“If not for the Club, I know there are many kids and teens who would get into trouble out on the streets. Instead, these young people have a safe, fun place to be after school where they get their academic and emotional needs met. I’m thankful for the Club staff who lend a helping hand and show all young people that they have a chance to be their best selves and dream big, no matter how out of reach their dreams may seem. They encourage young people that they can do anything they put their minds to doing,” Ambrosia said of the Club’s impact on her local community.
In addition to her part-time job and her role as an ROTC First Sergeant at St. Augustine High School, Ambrosia is also the Teen Lead at the TPC Club where she has attended for seven years and now helps tutor and mentor other young people.
Ambrosia is a strong leader whose resiliency, grit and determination have helped her through family tragedy and unexpected hardship. She encourages other young people to believe in themselves, and Club staff credit her with constantly facilitating learning and teamwork among her peers.
Middle school Youth of the Year Tyler has attended THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club since the fourth grade. He has been an active member of the Club’s STEM robotics team and is currently the golf captain, helping the staff plan golf outings for his peers.
Jordyn W., the elementary school Youth of the Year, credits the Club’s certified teachers with improving her understanding of math and helping her gain confidence in this subject that previously challenged her.
Each year, all 48 Clubs that make up Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida nominate up to three Youth of the Year candidates for elementary school, middle school and high school categories. These Youth of the Year nominees represent their Boys & Girls Club in this competition, celebrating Club members’ academic achievements, leadership abilities and communication skills.
The rigorous selection process includes public speaking, personal essays and panel interviews with Youth of the Year Judges who select the most qualified finalist to serve as a role model, ambassador and spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs and their members.
More than 300 guests attended the Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony where the 50 nominees were honored, and the winners were announced. Guests and nominees attending the ceremony with their families enjoyed a welcome from Boys & Girls Clubs alumnus and Jacksonville Jaguars Outside Linebacker Arden Key and an inspirational message from Club alumnus and Food Network Extreme Chef Winner Chef Amadeus.
At the Alumni Club Reception, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union, that preceded the Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony, Key and Amadeus were part of the inaugural group of Boys & Girls Clubs alumni inducted into the new Alumni Club. This growing group is made up of former Boys & Girls Clubs members who want to network with others in Northeast Florida while reconnecting to the mission of the organization. Anyone who formerly attended a Boys & Girls Club is encouraged to join the Alumni Club by registering at bgcnf.org/alumni.
For 60 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida has enabled young people to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Our 48 Clubs serve more than 4,800 young people each day in Alachua, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties.
Our Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours and during the summer.
Club programs promote five core areas: character and leadership, education and workforce readiness, the arts, health and wellness, and sports and recreation. In a Harris Survey of Boys & Girls Clubs alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. Learn more at bgcnf.org
2023 Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony
