Returning for the fifth year, Youth of the Year is BGC Canada’s national initiative to recognize and celebrate exceptional youth who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and achievements within their communities.
Youth of the Year encourages young people to become active role models and a voice for young people across Canada. This year, five youth receive post-secondary scholarships, laptops, prize packages, and development and media training.
Along with our Youth of the Year, BGC Canada also celebrates an Indigenous Youth of the Year. BGC Canada welcomed its first Indigenous Youth of the Year in 2022 in recognizing the need to create equitable spaces for Indigenous peoples.
Check out our 2024 Youth of the Year Highlight Reel below!
Meet our 2025 Youth of the Year
Grace (She/Her), BGC Durham
Grace has been involved with BGC Durham for seven years as a Club member, volunteer, and Club staff. Throughout her Club journey, she has grown and developed skills such as leadership, public speaking, and communication.
Since joining the after-school program, Grace has participated in several different programs, from leadership, cooking, and tech club, and has taken on the role of emcee at several Club events. Now, she sits on BGC Canada’s National Youth Council.
Grace is passionate about youth advocacy, especially supporting young people’s creativity and complex ideas. Being a Youth of the Year gives her the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on others and make a positive change at a national level.
Mackenzie (She/Her), BGC Leduc
From Club member to Club staff, Mackenze has been involved with BGC Leduc in Alberta for four years. She credits her BGC Club with having a deep impact on her growth in emotional resilience, confidence, and leadership.
Looking back on her Club journey, her most memorable experience was participating in a science summer camp. The Club staff were so enthusiastic and welcoming that it inspired her to become a staff member herself. Outside of her Club, Mackenzie is deeply involved in her community and aspires to become a school teacher.
Mackenzie is driven by personal and communal growth through sports, leadership, and giving back to communities. As Youth of the Year, she can continue to be a positive role model for young people in BGC Clubs across the country.
Ruben (He/Him), BGC St. Alban’s Club
Ruben has been involved with BGC St. Alban’s Club for 10 years as a Club member, volunteer, and Club staff. He describes his Club experience as transformative, helping him build life skills like adaptability, teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership.
As a youth council member at his own Club, attending BGC Canada’s 2023 National Youth Forum was a memorable experience that shaped how he wants to show up for his community. Outside of the Club, Ruben is a leader in his school community, stays grounded in his values, and always finds ways to uplift others.
Ruben is passionate about being a voice for young people who want to make an impact. As Youth of the Year, he’s ready to show young people across Canada the power of youth-led change.
Yusef (He/Him), BGC London
Yusef has been involved with BGC London for 10 years as a Club member and volunteer. Since he was 6 years old, the Club has given him a safe space to be himself and develop confidence and skills like public speaking and leadership.
What started as a place to hang out after school turned into a space that challenged him to try new things, developing his confidence and pursuing his passion for business. A memorable experience for Yusef was leading weekly colouring sessions at a local seniors’ home through LeadUP 2.0—a youth leadership program offered by BGC Clubs.
Yusef is passionate about leadership and financial literacy. As Youth of the Year, he will continue to advocate for young people’s access to the same opportunities and skills he found at BGC.
Zahra (She/Her), BGC Ottawa
Zahra has been involved with BGC Ottawa for four years as a Club member and Club staff. Her BGC Club provided her with a welcoming community that helped her feel seen and empowered.
Throughout her Club journey, she has become more extroverted and developed the courage to lead and find her voice without feeling judged. Now, she’s a mentor at her Club, supporting others who are navigating similar challenges and responsibilities and helping them find their voices, too.
Zahra is passionate about education as a path to empowerment, rather than a requirement. As Youth of the Year, Zahra will inspire young people nationwide to discover their voice and passion in meaningful ways.
Check out our 2024 Youth of the Year Highlight Reel below!
Meet our 2024 Youth of the Year
Titobi (He/Him), BGC East Scarborough, National Youth of the Year
Titobi joined BGC in 2023 through the after-school program and quickly took on leadership roles, including serving on the Youth Council. The Club has helped him build confidence, take on new challenges, and make a positive impact in his community.
One of Titobi’s favourite memories is performing and winning first place at his Club’s talent show—something he never imagined doing before. His experience at BGC has inspired him to grow as a leader and break through personal limitations.
He is currently studying International Relations at the University of Toronto. As Youth of the Year, Titobi is eager to promote the Club’s work and inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Jordan (He/Him), BGC Red Deer & District, Indigenous Youth of the Year
Jordan has been a member of Red Deer Youth HQ/BGC since he was eleven. He now participates in various BGC events and values the sense of community and connection the Club offers. BGC has played a big role in his life, helping him break out of his shell and enjoy new experiences, especially in nature.
One of Jordan’s favourite memories is his West Coast Trail experience with BGC, where he bonded with friends and embraced new challenges. Reflecting on that adventure always brings back fond memories for him.
Drawn to the complexities of detective work and law enforcement, Jordan is interested in studying criminology and psychology. As Indigenous Youth of the Year, Jordan feels honoured to represent his Club and community. Having grown from a quiet youth to someone who confidently expresses himself, he is excited to share his story.
Alex (He/Him), BGC Riverview
Alex joined his Club’s Digital Media camp when he was twelve. Since then, he has participated in various programs, including drop-in, photography, poetry, and the LeadUp initiative, where he helped organize the Transgender Youth Conference.
BGC Riverview has been a safe and welcoming space for Alex, where he developed his passion for the arts and technology. A photography course at the Club connected him with a career photographer, helping him become a Cadet Correspondent and secure a spot in his college program. Through Lead Up, he also gained leadership experience, organizing a community event that united transgender youth and allies.
He is currently in his first year studying Radio Television Journalism at Nova Scotia Community College, with hobbies that include writing, reading, and photography. As the first Youth of the Year from Atlantic Canada since 2021, Alex is honoured to represent the unique needs of his region.
Jadyn (She/Her), BGC East Scarborough
Jadyn first joined a BGC summer camp program when she was six. Now the Vice President of her Club’s Youth Council, she helps lead initiatives promoting allyship between Black and Indigenous youth. Her involvement reflects a strong passion for community building and positive social change.
Her Club has shaped her love for education and childcare, inspiring her career path. It’s also where she discovered her voice as a poet, with mentors and friends who continue to support her artistic and academic goals. Her favourite memory is earning a standing ovation at the 2019 Be Boundless Gala.
Studying psychology, she’s determined to use her skills to make a lasting impact on society. Jadyn views Youth of the Year as an honour, a reflection of her growth, and a testament to her commitment to creating a more equitable future.
Taha (He/Him), BGC Fort McMurray
Taha has been a member of his BGC Club since 2022 through the Keystone program. This summer, he worked as a camp counsellor and as he enters Grade 11, he remains connected to his Club and eager to stay involved. His time at BGC has provided him with valuable experiences and skills that have shaped his personal growth.
One of Taha’s favourite memories is working with youth during the Lead Up and Summer Camp programs. Whether playing soccer or joining the kids on field trips, he built strong connections with both the staff and the youth, while honing his leadership abilities.
Taha is exploring his options for university, with a potential interest in science and healthcare. As Youth of the Year, Taha is excited to inspire other young people and demonstrate that anyone can achieve great things.
Tessa (She/Her), BGC Lethbridge
Tessa joined her BGC Club in December 2020. The Club has been a transformative space for her, building her confidence and helping her discover her passions. Through BGC, Tessa found a place where she can truly be herself, without fear of judgment, while exploring what she wants to study in the future.
One of Tessa’s favourite memories is making paper mache spiders for a haunted house while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas with her Club friends. The fun, creativity, and camaraderie during that day—complete with naming their spiders—made it a truly unforgettable experience.
Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree with a major in social science and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Lethbridge, she enjoys reading, playing guitar and piano, and learning languages in her free time. As Youth of the Year, Tessa is excited to share her story and inspire others to find belonging and confidence at BGC.
Yaël (She/Her), BGC Bigs Edmonton & Area
Yaël has been a part of BGC for over 10 years, joining as a youth at BGC Wolf Creek, and now a staff member at BGC Edmonton & Area. For the past three years, she has been using the leadership and advocacy skills she gained as a youth to mentor and inspire the children she now works with.
One of Yaël’s favourite memories is watching her Club’s Pom Squad perform at BGC Edmonton’s “Club Day.” Seeing their hard work pay off and inspiring others in the process made her incredibly proud of the team.
Currently finishing her degree in Criminology at the University of Alberta, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree while staying involved in the causes she loves. As Youth of the Year, Yaël is excited to continue her advocacy on a national level.
