This story is cross-posted from Behind the Blue Door on BGCA.net.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, Ashley Skaggs has guided several teens through the Youth of the Year program. She even coached Club kid Holden twice, helping him clinch the Arkansas Youth of the Year title in eighth grade and the 2026-2027 Southwest title his senior year. Holden is no stranger to the ClubX Blog, recently posting about his experience as a National Youth Advisory Council member and his advocacy work!
Whether you’re a YOY advisor just starting out or simply looking for new ideas, explore Ashley’s advice for motivating teens to join Youth of the Year, tell their stories, and her vision for how the program could evolve.
How would you describe your role as a Youth of the Year Advisor?
Ashley Skaggs: Being a Youth of the Year advisor means serving as a young person’s mentor, guide and one of their biggest cheerleaders. It also provides opportunities to teach them life skills, from writing professional emails and handwritten thank-you notes to mock interviews that prepare them for opportunities beyond the Club. It’s my favorite Club responsibility and watching young people grow in confidence, leadership and self-awareness is incredibly rewarding.
What would you say to encourage teens to participate in Youth of the Year?
Ashley: I would tell teens to step outside of their comfort zone. I’d share the many opportunities the program provides — from connecting with peers and community leaders to earning scholarships and valuable life skills. I tell teens that their Youth of the Year experiences will grow their personal development and professional networks. The relationships and skills they gain along the way will also help open doors in the future.
How do you build trust with teens, especially those who may be hesitant to open up?
Ashley: When building trust with teens, I think of two words: time and consistency. Trust is built over time – that means letting teens talk while I listen and meeting them where they are. By giving my time, I’m letting them know they have someone who believes in them.
I show up consistently during their wins and in their moments of doubt. Showing up can also mean going to school activities and events outside the Club. Some youth may not have someone they can rely on to go to these functions, so being that consistent support system shows them they are not alone.
How do you help teens tell their story?
Ashley: First, I help them pinpoint what they are passionate about. If they’re talking about something they love, it’ll be easier and sound more natural. Afterwards, I ask them to tell a story that relates to their passion, whether it affected them personally or someone they know. Telling a story can help teens create an image or memory that ties back to something personal, making it easier to open up and share their purpose.
How do you support teens in preparing for high-pressure moments like interviews?
Ashley: A pep talk goes a long way! Every teen is different. Some want tough love, some want to talk through their nerves, and some want words of encouragement. I always tell them – no one knows you better than you, so just be yourself. People want to hear about who YOU are!
You’ve guided Holden through Youth of the Year twice, with him earning the Arkansas and Southwest titles. Can you tell us about a challenge you overcame together during the program?
Ashley: Holden participated for the first time in eighth grade and was a finalist at the Southwest regional level. When he didn’t advance further, he came back determined to turn his passion for addressing food insecurity into action.
Before deciding to do Youth of the Year again as a senior, he set a goal of expanding his platform locally. I wanted to support him every step of the way, but I also had to balance supporting our Club’s other YOY teens to ensure each of them felt equally valued.
At first, Holden worried that this could create a challenge for us. However, we stayed in constant communication, and together, Holden and I built strong connections within the community. Those relationships became incredibly valuable because they allowed me to continue guiding Holden while also supporting other youth.
For example, the following year, Holden built a close friendship with our Southwest Youth of the Year, Kayleigh. They shared ideas, educated each other on important issues, and encouraged more community involvement. What initially seemed like a potential obstacle for Holden ultimately became a source of even greater support, not only from me, but from the community and peers like Kayleigh.
How would you like to see the Youth of the Year program evolve?
Ashley: The Youth of the Year program does so much for teens: from helping them network to providing fun experiences and scholarships. But I would like to see it evolve to include younger generations.
Starting a Youth of the Year program for ages 11-13 could provide a smoother transition into the program with older kids. Maybe it’s done on a smaller scale and teaches skills like having a firm handshake, making eye contact while having a conversation, or using your voice to explain what the Club means to you.
I think that would ultimately set up more tweens to get the most out of the Club experience as they get older.
Boys & Girls Club staff can find everything you need to run the YOY program in the Youth of the Year Hub on BGCA.net. Be sure to check out the new YOY Instructional Video Playlist, available now!
Hear from Southwest Youth of the Year Holden himself in his ClubX Blog post:
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