Annual Youth of the Year Celebration Raises $1,040,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) is honored to announce Elias Dennis of the Flint River Community Center Boys & Girls Club as its 2022-2023 Youth of the Year—the organization’s highest honor. Elias was selected among 20 accomplished teens representing Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Metro Atlanta and recognized at BGCMA’s Annual Youth of the Year Celebration on Friday, November 11.
This year 20 inspiring teens from Boys & Girls Club locations throughout Metro Atlanta participated in the 2022 Youth of the Year Celebration on Friday, Nov. 11. Themed “A Million Moments”, the celebration was hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Monica Pearson. The organization’s signature fundraising raised event $1,040,000 and featured a dynamic live performance from Grammy-nominated artist and actor MAJOR. with an accompaniment of BGCMA’s youth choir. Included was also remarks from community leaders and speeches from five YOY finalists describing their “Million Moments.” Special appearances also included 4x NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, who spoke about the impact the Club had on his life as a Club member. The organization’s Club in Henry County bears his name.
Elias D. pictured with BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan
As the culminating moment, Elias, 2021-2022 Youth of the Year Runner, was named BGCMA’s Youth of the Year 2022-2023. He represented the Flint River Community Center. A. Worley Brown’s Shekinah was named 2022-2023 Youth of the Year Runner-Up.
“We are so proud of all of our candidates and excited to name Elias as our 2022-2023 Youth of the Year,” said BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan. “It gives me such hope to see kids and teens like Elias with a strong vision toward the future using their voice to strengthen their communities and the world.”
Elias Dennis, a 17-year-old junior, has been attending the Club since he was 6 years old. Elias has career aspirations of becoming a veterinarian and owning several clinics. As a Club member, Elias spent time visiting and eventually working as a summer counselor at the organization’s camp facility, Camp Kiwanis, in Danielsville, Georgia. He credits his summers as a camp counselor with helping him realize his love for working with animals. “The Club is important to me because it helped me become part of a new family and friend group in my community,” exclaimed Elias.
Youth of the Year is part of the organization’s focus on character and leadership development. It serves as a competition that recognizes teen Club members who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, leadership skills, and service to the community. Each year, one outstanding teen is named the organization’s Youth of the Year and serves as its youth spokesperson.
All 20 YOY candidates on stage at the Coca-Cola Roxy.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta thanks Bank of America for being the presenting sponsor of the Youth of the Year Celebration for the fourth consecutive year. BGCMA would also like to thank all corporate and individual sponsors for ensuring Clubs and staff can continue creating millions of moments that will make a difference in the lives of children and teens.
To learn more about the 20 inspiring teens who participated in this year’s Youth of the Year competition and the organization’s character & leadership development programs, click here.