Texas Youth Of the Year and Heartfelt Stories Boost This $1.2 Million Houston Night — A Boys & Girls Club Moment
Club Kids All Grown Up
By Shelby Hodge //
What: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s 38th Annual Great Futures Gala: Futures in Bloom
Where: The Revaire
PC Moment: The impact that Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston has on youngsters across five area counties was brought home in the words of Yancy E., 2026 Julius Young and Texas Youth of the Year, who shared her personal story as she prepares to advance to the regional Youth of the Year competition. Inspiring Club member stories and heartfelt first person tales certainly added to the compelling program.
More than 500 supporters filled the event space with enthusiasm for the clubs as they celebrated the power of mentorship, opportunity and the extraordinary potential of Houston-area youth. With an assist from presenting sponsor Sysco that enthusiasm saw record-breaking proceeds of $1.2 million for the program that serves 60,000 youth.
The remarkably successful event was chaired by Michael Simon III, a former Club Kid whose personal success speaks to, in his words, “what’s possible when a community shows up for its kids.” A member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston board, he is managing partner of Simon Ventures LLC.
The evening honored another former Club Kid Sean T. Wheeler along with his wife Logan Wheeler. They were recognized for their extraordinary commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
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“Young people spend more than 80 percent of their time learning outside of school hours, yet only one in six students in Texas has access to quality out-of-school programming,” Boys & Girls Club 2026-27 board chair Guy Koenig says. “That makes the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs more important than ever.”
Serving as emcees for the evening were winning CW39 Houston anchor Sharron Melton and Tay’Vion H., a member of the Galveston Island Teen Club and runner-up for the 2026 Julius Young Youth of the Year Award.
PC Seen: Gary and Patty Cole, Julie Koenig, Doug and Erin McMann, Lauren & Mark Eberhart, Fheryl and Grady Prestage, Jordan Young, Lauren Young, Sarah Jefferies, Michelle Young, Betty and Humberto Hormaza, Dr. Gwyn Richardson, and Randy Garcia.
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