Celebrating Leadership, Dedication, and Community: Our 2025 Youth of the Year & Community Award Honorees

Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley comes together with community members, families, and friends to celebrate what makes our Club so special—our youth, our mission, and the people who support it all. This year’s Youth of the Year & Community Awards Celebration, held on March 27, 2025, was a powerful and uplifting night that reminded us of the strength, resilience, and generosity within our Club and community.Honoring Our 2025 Youth of the Year: Paradise D.We are thrilled to announce Paradise D. as our 2025 Youth of the Year!A senior at Milford High School and a dedicated Club member, Paradise currently serves as a Lead Youth Development Professional at BGCSV. Over the years, she has emerged as a strong and compassionate leader—passionate about mental health advocacy and youth empowerment. She has co-led regional Youth Summits, worked closely with Active Minds, and promoted vital prevention strategies for her peers. Her lived experiences have inspired her to pursue a degree in psychology as she continues her journey to build resilience and promote inclusivity among young people.Paradise represents everything the Youth of the Year title stands for: leadership, academic excellence, community involvement, and outstanding character.All six of this year’s Youth of the Year candidates delivered moving and heartfelt speeches that highlighted the transformative power of the Club in their lives. Their courage and vision for the future were nothing short of inspiring. We were honored to welcome representatives from Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander and Senator Maggie Hassan, who read letters of encouragement, and we proudly received a Proclamation from Governor Kelly Ayotte declaring March 27, 2025 as Souhegan Valley Youth of the Year & Community Awards Celebration Day.Celebrating Our Community ChampionsThe evening also honored the individuals, businesses, and organizations that consistently show up for our Club, our youth, and the greater Souhegan Valley. These champions go the extra mile to create opportunities and build a brighter future for young people.We proudly congratulate this year’s Community & Club Award recipients:

Business of the Year

• –

Board Member of the Year

• –

Volunteer of the Year

• –

Community Champion Award

• –

Lew Dokmo Champion of Youth Award

• –

President’s Award

• –

BGCSV Professional of the Year

• –

BGCSV Youth Development Professional of the Year

• –

Each honoree has made a lasting impact through their service, leadership, and belief in the mission of our Club. Their commitment to uplifting youth and strengthening our community is nothing short of extraordinary.

Gratitude to Our Sponsors

This unforgettable night was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:

Milford Rotary Club

,

The Krantz Family Scholarship Fund

,

Focus Eye Care

, and

The Jonathan Amerault Be Great Award

. Thank you for believing in the power of community and investing in our youth.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the stories shared and the accomplishments celebrated, one thing is clear—

our future is in good hands.

The passion of our youth and the dedication of our supporters are the foundation on which we continue to grow.

To Paradise, our Youth of the Year, to all six candidates, and to each award winner: thank you for being leaders, role models, and changemakers. You inspire us all.

Photo credit: Kyra Whitehead