A Night of Inspiration: Celebrating Our Youth of the Year & Community Award Honorees

Our Youth of the Year & Community Awards Night was nothing short of inspiring, a true celebration of leadership, service, and the incredible potential of the young people we serve.

From the moment the evening began, it was clear that this was more than an event, it was a reflection of a community deeply committed to empowering youth. We are grateful to our Sponsors, Community Award Nominees, Youth of the Year Candidates, and our Scholarship Donors, the Krantz Family and the Amerault Family, whose generosity helps remove barriers and create opportunities for the young people we serve.

We were also honored to be joined by State Senator Tim McGugh, and to receive special messages recognizing our youth from U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander. Their words of encouragement reinforced the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.

A tremendous amount of effort goes into preparing for this event, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our staff. Their hard work behind the scenes ensured a seamless evening and provided meaningful support to each candidate throughout the process.

We are proud to announce and celebrate our 2026 Youth of the Year: Olivia Skare

Olivia’s leadership, resilience, and commitment to growth exemplify the spirit of this honor. She reflects on her experience:

"After just a year on the dance team, I realized I had made my best friends. They were the people I held when I was nervous about going on stage, and they were the people who cheered for me to succeed. Being on stage and so vulnerable gave me confidence off stage that I had never had before... My favorite part about being a leader is knowing that people were looking up to me, which pushed me to be a better person.... This experience taught me that sometimes the things we resist the most are the things that help us grow."

Olivia’s words capture the essence of why this program exists—to provide opportunities that challenge, inspire, and build lifelong confidence. She represents the bright future we are all working to build.

We also proudly recognize our 2026 Community Award recipients:

• Business of the Year: Fidelity Investments

• Board Member of the Year: Bob Heaton

• Volunteer of the Year: Debra Boczenowski

• Community Champion: Bonnie Sinclair

• Lew Dokmo Champion of Youth: Steve Desmarais

• BGCSV Professional of the Year: Greg Sopper

• BGCSV High School Professional: Frankie Greene

• President’s Award: Papa’s Joe’s, in memory of Joe Oneail

  
  

These honorees represent the very best of our community. Their contributions strengthen our mission and expand opportunities for the youth and families we serve every day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and continues to believe in the power of our young people. Together, we are building brighter futures.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Cardoza Flooring

Candy Bar Sponsor: St. Mary’s Bank

Silver Sponsors: Brennan & McKay Appliances; Gate City Electric

Printing & Program Sponsor: Kokko Realty