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The momentum is unstoppable! We are beyond thrilled to announce that our very own Little KIPPster Yancy E. was recently crowned the 2026 Texas State Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club. Yancy is a student at KIPP Sharpstown College Prep and a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
After showcasing her incredible leadership, academic brilliance, and vision for social change at the state level, Yancy emerged victorious. She will next represent the Lone Star State on the regional Boys & Girls Club stage.
A Night of Celebration
Yancy’s journey to the state title began on February 19 at the Junior League of Houston, where she was named the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston (BGCGH) 2026 Julius Young Youth of the Year.
The annual dinner, presented by Chevron, was a beautiful celebration hosted by Morgan Kleinschmidt of the BGCGH Young Professionals Council and Brookelyn W., the 2025 Youth of the Year from the Cristo Rey Jesuit Club. The Julius Young Youth of the Year program honors inspiring teens for their outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to their Club. Yancy truly embodies these values, proving that with the right support, there are no limits to what a young leader can achieve.
Yancy’s Winning Journey
- State Champion: Crowned the 2026 Texas State Youth of the Year.
- KIPP Pride: Representing the excellence of KIPP Sharpstown College Prep and KIPP Texas.
- Regional Bound: Advancing to the Regional Competition this May.
- Future Leader: Attending the University of Denver to study Public Policy.
- Scholarship Winner: Awarded $25,000 total ($10k from the Julius Young Fund, $5k from Chevron, $5K from BGCA and $5K from Texas State Alliance).
The Road to Regionals: Destination May
Winning the state title is a historic milestone, but Yancy’s journey is just hitting its stride. This May, she will take her advocacy and her story to the regional competition.
As she prepares to compete against the top youth leaders from across the region, she moves one step closer to the ultimate honor: the National Youth of the Year title in Washington, D.C.
“Greater Houston Youth of the Year, Yancy E. from KIPP Sharpstown, has officially won the State Competition and will be advancing to the Regional Competition in May! We are incredibly proud of Yancy and truly grateful for our partnership with KIPP Sharpstown. This support plays a significant role in creating opportunities like this for our youth.”
— Nick N. Cantu, Vice President of Club Operations & Safety, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
Let’s keep the cheers going! Houston—and now all of Texas—is standing right behind you, Yancy. Good luck at regionals this May!
