At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s 11th annual Michelle Hagerty Youth of the Year dinner, seven finalists competed for a countywide title that provides a four-year university scholarship plus room and board from the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation.
The winner was Phildensy Jean of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, who was named the 2025 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. The event was record-breaking, raising $548,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
The dinner was held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion and included an event where the seven finalists gave three-minute speeches. 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.
All finalists received a 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 and 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 and Wilder Regalbuto, and the honorary chairs were the Hon. Danielle Moore and the Hon. Lesly Smith.
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for-profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. For more information, visit www.bgcpbc.org or call (561) 683-3287.
