Youth of the Year Award

The Youth of the Year Award is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad's citywide recognition program and scholarship contest. Active members of The Armory are eligible. This award celebrates youth who have overcome significant odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments. Youth of the Year candidates are recognized for participation and service in The Armory, their school, and their community, as well as for academic performance, leadership ability, and contributions to family. Armory members who express interest may be nominated and are required to complete an application, interviews, and essays in order to compete for the award.

Carlsbad's Youth of the Year will have a chance to win a scholarship for college, as well as the prestige of the award on college applications, job resumes, and beyond. This outstanding student will become a representative of Carlsbad and The Armory and continue to influence our community

positively. If eligible and chosen, the winner of Carlsbad's Youth of the Year Award could go on to compete at the county, state, regional, and national levels as part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's search for its National Youth of the Year.

The Armory's Youth of the Year

Preliminary Competition: Essay

The Essay is the first opportunity for a member to make the case for candidacy for Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad's Youth of the Year. All active members are eligible to enter. Download the linked document to learn about the expectations for this essay.

The Armory's Youth of the Year

Preliminary Competition: Speech & Interview

Members whose essays were selected in the first round of the preliminary competition advance to the Speech & Interview stage. Download the linked document to learn about the expectations for the speech and interview.

The Armory's Youth of the Year

Preliminary Competition: Documents

Candidates must collect various documents for their application. These include three letters of reference, official high school transcripts, a photocopy of a government issued ID, and medical information.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad's 2016-17 Youth of the Year contestants and staff

2017-18 Youth of the Year Local Winner

The Armory is proud to congratulate Maria De La Mora, who has been named the 2017-18 winner of our Youth of the Year competition through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Maria is a Junior at Carlsbad High school and hopes to go to college to study Psychology and Dance Therapy. Maria's personal brand is defined as a role model, dedication, and service to others. This spring, Maria will compete in the county Youth of the Year competition with other winners from San Diego county. Maria has two younger sisters who have also grown up in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad.

The 2018-17 Local Youth of the Year finalists: Maria, Polina, and Morgan. Pictured here with Armory staff and volunteers.