COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tyreese Blue II of Toledo took the top honor in the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs youth advocacy event in Columbus on Thursday.
Blue was chosen as the 2025 Youth of the Year and was awarded a $15,000 scholarship. He also will have a chance to compete at the national level.
Ten teens were chosen from more than 100 Boys & Girls Clubs organizations across Ohio to compete at the state level.
Jeremiah Robinson was among the 10 finalists and represented the Boys & Girls Clubs of Youngstown at the event.
When Robinson was 5 years old, he and his 3-year-old sister lost their mother to sickle cell anemia.
Raised by his grandparents, Robinson found a second home and additional mentors through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The Youth of the Year program aims to foster a new generation of leaders. Candidates must be between ages 14 and 18, be actively involved in their local club and exhibit strong character and citizenship. The selection process includes completing an application, writing essays, obtaining recommendations and participating in interviews.
“Being named Youth of the Year is such a significant achievement, as it’s a competitive process that requires contestants to demonstrate excellent character, outstanding leadership, academic success and a commitment to service,” said Adam Shank, CEO and executive director of the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “We are incredibly proud of these fantastic young people. While only one of them can be named Ohio’s 2025 Youth of the Year, they’re all remarkable in their own ways.”
Abigail Bempah of Columbus was selected first runner-up, while Lucas Pedro from Massillon was named the second runner-up. Megan Oliver of Fairborn was named Ohio’s Military Youth of the Year, which recognizes outstanding teens involved in leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs organizations serving on U.S. military installations.
The other finalists were Adriana Jackson of Cincinnati, Demarion Samples of Hamilton, Ke’Mya Lam of Dayton, Maddison Hofstetter of Orrville and Ta’Janeya of Cleveland.
Pictured at top: The 10 finalists for the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year honor.