Read new profiles each week of Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year winners from across the country and on U.S. military installations, chosen for academic excellence and service to home, Club and community. In the coming weeks, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will be featuring our five outstanding Regional Youths of the Year.

Learn more about these exceptional Club members.

Ahkeem Hollimon has faced several challenges in his young life. After the tragic and violent death of his older brother, his family life became strained and Ahkeem struggled to deal with the loss. Faced with the choice of living a life filled with violence or becoming the role model and consensus builder his family needed, Ahkeem decided to work hard and become a better person. Determined to break the family “legacy of failure,” Ahkeem took on the role of primary caregiver to his younger siblings and family members helping his grandmother with household chores and financial support. Looking to improve his life, Ahkeem found great support from the staff at his local Boys & Girls Club in Orlando, Fla. 

A true leader at his Club, Ahkeem is a six-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida serving as a mentor to younger Club members. He has actively participated in various programs including serving as vice president of his Keystone Club, a character and leadership development program for teens, as well as participating in the Junior Staff program helping to maintain a clean, safe Club for his peers. Respected and trusted by his fellow Club kids, Ahkeem serves on the Teen Leadership Council Board to help decide what events should take place at the Club for teens. Additionally, he helped create the “Brother to Brother” program at his Club which empowers young men to express themselves through various avenues.

An honor student and recent graduate of Osceola High School, Ahkeem maintained a 3.25 grade point average while playing basketball for his school and serving as a student representative on the Osceola School District school board. Ahkeem is currently a freshman at Valencia Community College with plans to major in engineering and business management.

More About the Youth of the Year Program
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year recognition is the highest honor a Club member can achieve. The Youth of the Year program celebrates youth who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments. These deserving young people are recognized for service to their Club and community, academic performance and contributions to their family.  

Beginning in the Club and continuing through the state, regional and national levels, Boys & Girls Club youth are honored each year for their efforts in making their Clubs and communities more positive places for everyone. Each regional winner receives a total of $11,000 in college scholarships from the recognition program’s national sponsor, Tupperware Brands Corporation. The national winner receives an additional $50,000 college scholarship from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation.  

As representative and spokesperson for some 4 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, the National Youth of the Year serves a one-year term traveling across the country to address various groups on important youth issues and the role Boys & Girls Clubs play in changing young lives.  

As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by encouraging them to do well in school, lead healthy lifestyles and contribute to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.