At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s 11th Annual Michelle Hagerty Youth of the Year dinner, seven finalists competed for the county title that provided a four-year university scholarship plus room and board from The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. And the winner was Phildensy Jean of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club in Wellington who was named the 2025 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. The event was record-breaking as it raised $548K for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

The dinner was held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion and was the culmination of the event where the seven finalists gave a three-minute speech. The finalists were selected to represent their Club by a preliminary competition that included a comprehensive application, three essays, three letters of recommendation, and an interview in front of a panel of judges made up of:

· Chris Harris, President of Anderson-Moore Construction

· Hollani Davis, News Anchor with WPTV NBC-5

· Chief Darrel Donatto, Fire Chief of Town of Jupiter Fire Rescue

· Tammy Fields, Palm Beach Assistant County Administrator

· Michelle Hagerty, Title Sponsor

· Dr. Stacy Volnick, President of Florida Atlantic University

The 2025 finalists for Youth of the Year included:

· Blake Allen of the Boys & Girls Club of Boca Raton

· Christian Booker of the Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club

· Anthony Collins of the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club

· Phildensy Jean of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club

· Nathanael Jean-Jacques of the Smith & Moore Family Teen Center

· Garlens Morilus of the Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club

· Jaiyden Williams of the Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach

All finalists received a brand-new laptop from Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, suitcases and office supplies from Office Depot, and a four-year Florida College Scholarship, provided by The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. The county winner received a four-year university scholarship plus room and board.

“The 11th annual Youth of the Year dinner was a night to be remembered as our seven nominees captured the hearts of the audience, judges, and sponsors. It was inspiring to

listen to their personal stories of accomplishment and hard work. They truly embody the spirit of our Clubs and we are excited to follow their collegiate success,” said Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

The Chairs for the 11th Annual Michelle Hagerty Youth of the Year dinner were Olympia Bishop & Wilder Regalbuto, and the honorary Chairs were Hon. Danielle Moore & Hon. Lesly Smith.

The sponsors included:

· The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation – Great Futures Champion

· Michelle & Michael Hagerty – Title Sponsor

· Florida Power & Light- Graduate Sponsor

· Publix Super Markets Charities- Graduate Sponsor

· K12 Print- Graduate Sponsor

· Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation-Graduate Sponsor

· Robert I. Goldman Foundation- Graduate Sponsor

· Office Depot- Senior Sponsor

· Architects Design Collaborative- Junior Sponsor

· Olympia & Brooks Bishop- Junior Sponsor

· Julie & Mike Connors- Junior Sponsor

· Wilder & Jason Regalbuto- Junior Sponsor