Liz: Youth of the Year 2025
BGCO is honored to introduce Liz, our Youth of the Year for 2025. Liz is a 3-year Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland member as well as a Junior Staff member; she is also a freshman in college, majoring in Political Science. Knowing that her passion lies in helping others, Liz goes beyond her responsibilities at the Club by tutoring younger members and organizing community outreach efforts such as food drives. She extends this commitment to her community by volunteering at The Little Theater Company. Liz grew up in the diverse Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland and states that “I was surrounded by people who looked like me and a community that encouraged me to embrace my culture,” something that she does proudly. Despite her pride in her culture, Liz’s transition to a different, less diverse educational environment, left her feeling hyper-aware of who she was as a young woman of color from a low-income family. It was her time in the Club that helped her regain her confidence to embrace “the power of both giving and receiving support.”
“The Club is more than just a place, it’s where I found my voice and a sense of purpose.”
Support is exactly what Liz sets out to offer to the world, starting with the impact she can have on her community. Her desire to help her fellow BGCO members build positive self-images is a driving force in her life as she channels that passion for helping in her career goals. By majoring in Political Science, Liz aspires to “advocate for improved mental health support systems, reduce stigma, and push for systemic change.” Not only will Liz push for the integration of mental health education in schools, but she also plans to bring that sort of innovation to her own community, starting with BGCO, “where every member deserves to feel supported and valued.”
A rugby enthusiast, Liz credits the sport for her ability to recognize that there is strength in vulnerability and being able to not only ask for help, but to receive it. With only a mouthguard to protect her on the field, Liz learned that true protection comes from preparation, skill, and the help of teammates – “knowing when to rely on others and trusting them to have your back.” She understands that leadership is about dependability and thoughtfulness, and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. These valuable lessons continue to encourage Liz, and she cites her resilience and courage as key characteristics that will further help her thrive.
“Liz consistently demonstrates a strong passion for mentorship and community engagement – her mental drive and toughness is unmatched!””
Liz currently holds a 4.0 GPA as a college freshman and first-generation college student. An Academic Honors student, she has always valued education, recalling pretending to be a teacher at age seven, reviewing the alphabet and simple math with her younger brother. She would later bring that same enthusiasm to her tutoring efforts at the Club, where she successfully helped build confidence in younger members. Embodying her favorite quote by Richard Gilmore: “what she tackles, she conquers,” Liz is blazing a pathway that will make a meaningful difference in her life, her community, and beyond.
“Liz is a wonderful individual who cares deeply about contributing to a better world, especially for our youth.”
Youth of the Year recognizes its recipients for their countless contributions to Boys & Girls Clubs, their academic achievements, and their dedication to empowering the community in which they live. Liz continues to exhibit these attributes and is proof that great futures start here. We are proud to present the highest honor Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland bestows upon a student-member and invite you to join us in both celebrating and congratulating Liz, our extraordinary Youth of the Year, for 2025.
The Youth of the Year program celebrates 14 to 18 year-old student-members’ outstanding contributions to their family, school, community, and their Boys & Girls Club; recognizing their academic excellence, moral character, life goals, poise and public speaking, as well as personal challenges and obstacles they’ve overcome. Historically, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s five regional winners have been honored at a Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill and have a chance to meet the President of the United States in the White House each fall.