St. Cloud Teen Named Boys & Girls Clubs State 2026 Youth of the Year

(KNSI) — A teenager from Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has been named the top youth leader in the state.

Brook’Lynn H. was named Minnesota’s 2026 Youth of the Year during a ceremony Wednesday night at Target Field in Minneapolis, earning the title from the Minnesota Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Brook’Lynn has participated in Club programs since kindergarten and is currently a senior at Cathedral High School. She has taken advantage of programs including Career Launch, Career Start, SMART Girls, Healthy Habits and Cavity Free Zone, and has served as an emcee for Boys & Girls Club showcases. Brook’Lynn is actively involved with the Best Buy Teen Tech Center and serves on both the Club’s local teen advisory council and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Advisory Council. She plans to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, to pursue a law degree with a focus on family law and to become a criminal prosecutor.

The Youth of the Year award, now in its 79th year, recognizes young people for leadership, community service, academic excellence, healthy living, and workforce readiness. As the state winner, Brook’Lynn will serve as an ambassador for Minnesota teens and advance to the regional competition this summer.

Brook’Lynn is also the recipient of the $20,000 Home Team Scholarship, funded through an 18-year coalition of the Minnesota Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx, Vikings, and Minnesota United FC. An additional $2,500 college scholarship comes with the state title.

Minnesota Alliance Executive Director Bryan Donaldson called the award proof of the value of out-of-school programming, saying it builds a workforce-ready, community-minded generation.

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