Overview: Four exceptional local high school students from the Teen Center of Excellence and St. Louis Internship Program have earned spots as finalists in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis 2026 Youth of the Year competition. Leon Nevils, Lakshita Raja, Legacy Jackson, and Toritseju Atsepoyi will take the stage on November 19 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre during the Great Futures Gala to vie for title honors, college scholarships, and a new car courtesy of Frank Leta Automotive.
Leon Nevils, Lakshita Raja, Legacy Jackson, and Toritseju Atsepoyi take the Fox Theatre stage this November with a free car, college funding, and community leadership on the line.
The Fabulous Fox Theatre is about to host one of the most high-stakes evenings in St. Louis this fall, and the spotlight is not on touring Broadway stars.
On Thursday, November 19, four local teenagers will step onto that historic stage at 6 p.m. with their futures on the line. The occasion is the annual Great Futures Gala, hosted by Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. The prize is a transformative stepping stone into adulthood: the title of 2026 Youth of the Year, a $5,000 college scholarship, and a brand-new vehicle courtesy of Frank Leta Automotive.
To reach this point, each student had to prove their mettle against tough competition. They were selected from a pool of ten driven candidates who poured months of effort into essays, public speaking sessions, intensive interviews, and academic reviews. Every candidate brought serious credentials in community service, leadership, and personal resilience.
Meet the Four Finalists Leading the Charge
All four finalists represent both the Teen Center of Excellence and the St. Louis Internship Program. Each brings a distinct voice and vision to the stage:
- Toritseju A.
- Legacy J.
- Leon N.
- Lakshita R.
These young leaders represent what happens when raw talent meets real community investment. Each finalist navigated a comprehensive scoring system where judges weighed their Club contributions, academic dedication, personal essays, and stage presence.
Six other standout candidates pushed the competition to its highest level and earned honors for completing the rigorous process: Aliyah P., Caleb S., Jaylin S., Karter A., Makenzie S., and Marley S.
More Than Just a Trophy
The Youth of the Year program serves as the premier leadership recognition for Boys and Girls Clubs members nationwide. While one teen will drive away with the grand prize, every finalist will walk away with scholarship funding to support their higher education journey.
“This year’s candidates represent the very best of what Boys and Girls Clubs is all about,” said Brandon Williams, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. “Young people who are discovering their voices, embracing leadership, and preparing to make a difference in the world. Every one of these teens is already a success story, and we could not be prouder of their accomplishments.”
Beyond the awards, the Great Futures Gala serves as the organization’s primary fundraising engine. The funds raised during the evening directly sustain after-school initiatives, workforce readiness tracks, and safe spaces for thousands of kids and teens throughout Missouri and Illinois.
Community Impact Across the Bi-State Region
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis operates across six dedicated hubs: the Adams Park Club, Bethalto Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence. Alongside partner programs like Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program, the organization provides year-round mentorship, athletic leagues, and career development.
For tickets, gala details, or ways to support youth leadership programs in the region, visit bgcstl.org.
#BGCSTL #YouthOfTheYear #StLouisTeens
