Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo names 2026 Youth of the Year

TOLEDO – Olivia Ford, a senior at Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School, is the 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo Organizational Youth of the Year and will represent Toledo at the Ohio competition in April. 

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature leadership award. The honor began in 1947 and includes state, regional and national competitions. 

Ford began her Club experience as a volunteer at the Ottawa River Club and became a Teen Employment Corps junior staff member at the East Toledo Boys & Girls Club, where she mentors younger members and assists adult staff with implementing youth programs. Last year, the East Club recognized Ford with its John E. Gunckel Award for Service for community service, leadership and mentorship at the Club.

“Members connected well with Olivia right away,” said Hannah Fox-Lu, senior Club director at the Ottawa River Boys & Girls Club. “She is caring, compassionate and a great listener, which made her a strong leader who built meaningful and lasting relationships with members.”

Ford credited her experience at the Clubs for helping her find her passion. She plans to attend Bowling Green State University and pursue a degree in education.

At Cardinal Stritch, Ford is part of the student council, the National Exchange Club and on the volleyball team. In her final season, the Toledo Area Athletic Conference recognized Ford as its Player of the Year. 

She was chosen from five finalists from across the organization:

• Sakiyah Caulton is a senior at Rogers High School and a member of The Club, James A. Huber Teen Center, where she is vice president of the Keystone Club. She plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and study forensic psychology and criminal justice.
• Emmanuel McCreary is a senior at Rogers High School and a member of the Huber Teen Center and the Schoenrock Family Boys & Girls Club. He plans to study civil engineering at the University of Cincinnati. 
• Jayden Robinson is a senior at Jessup W. Scott High School and a TEC Teen junior staff member at the Homer Hanham Boys & Girls Club. He plans to attend Bowling Green State University and study digital art and graphic design.
• Roy Williams IV is a senior at the Toledo Technology Academy and a TEC Teen junior staff member at the Schoenrock Family Club. He plans to attend the University of Toledo and study mechanical engineering.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo recently hosted a Youth of the Year preview night at the Homer Hanham Club. The finalists answered questions about their Club experience, academic achievement, leadership, service and character. They also delivered prepared speeches.