Youth of the Year

Each year, thousands of Club teens  participate in local, state and regional Youth of the Year events. Six teens advance to the National Youth of the Year, where one outstanding young person is named National Youth of the Year.

2023 Youth of the Year

Shamiya Williams

2023 Youth of the Year Finalist

We are honored to introduce Shamiya Williams, 2023 Youth of the Year for Benton Harbor, and Greater Southwest Michigan.

Shamiya is a 17-year-old senior at Benton Harbor High School where she is part of varsity cheer, band, softball and volleyball teams. She is the daughter of Patricia Williams and has been a member at the Club’s Benton Harbor Teen Center since 2019. She has been involved in Club programs like Keystone (Club leadership group), SMART Girls (gender-specific programs that inspire and empower young women), and UPS Road Code (a safe driving program led by UPS volunteers), which each impacted her in important ways. She is currently serving as the UPS Road Code Ambassador, using her voice to teach others about the importance of safe driving.

“Boys & Girls Club is a place that teaches you real-life experience but, most importantly, somewhere to just live in the moment and be a kid. The Club always ensures that kids have somewhere safe to go. The Club gave me a remarkable experience and the connections I’ve made have motivated me to become the young lady I am today,” said Shamiya in her speech. “The Club’s Teen Center gave me a voice and I want to do the same to empower the next generation of youth by starting a debate team at my high school to provide a platform for teens to discuss real-life issues in our schools and our communities.”