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Tuesday, Alayna Baes realized a dream by being named the 2025 Boys and Girls Club of Morristown Youth of the Year.

Baes, a senior at Morristown-Hamblen High School West, was one of 22 club members to be named as “Youth of the Month” in 2025. Baes has been a club member for 10 years.

“I’m so glad that I have this opportunity,” Baes said. “Thank you to everyone who has supported us. I’m so excited to represent my club in the competition for ‘Youth of the Year’ in Nashville next week.”

“She has had a tough year,” Executive Director John Seals said. “Then you talk about rising up. She’s done that. She has goals and aspirations and she’s going to succeed regardless of whatever path it is.”

Baes will represent the Boys and Girls Club of Morristown in the state “Youth of the Year” competition in Nashville next week.

For more than 75 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year America’s premier leadership and recognition program for teens. These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for America. Inspiring all kids to lead. To succeed. To inspire.

Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth as well as a voice for all of our nation’s young people. Over the decades, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. National Youth of the Year winners have achieved success in a variety of industries, including entertainment, politics, business and sports.

Junior Youth of the Year was awarded to Joseph Linholm, a sixth-grade student at Lincoln Heights Middle School.

The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Elanore Harville, a seventh-grade student at West Greene Middle School.

Itzel Cruz won the Christmas Card Design Contest. Her design was printed as the Club’s Christmas card for 2025. She received $100 for her successful entry. Seals said that competition is held during the summer.

“It’s kind of hard to be in the Christmas spirit in the summer,” he said. “We want the kids to design our Christmas card each year.”

Seals thanked the crowd for coming to the banquet.

“I really want to say thank you for being here. This is a great opportunity to celebrate this past year, but more importantly celebrate the kids.

Seals recognized the B&G Club staff members who help make operations at the Club run smoothly year-round.

“They really do a great job,” Seals said. “We are proud of them and what they do.”

Seals went on to discuss safety of the children while they are in the Club’s care.

“We do a lot of things in this building to protect the kids,” he said. “We make sure the kids have an opportunity to grow, build relationships and develop skills that will help them in the real world. Our mission statement is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Looking at our club during the last 68 years, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that.

“We want to make sure that the kids who enter our building through those beautiful blue doors have a chance to be successful. We love your children, want to treat them with respect, help guide and encourage them in a way that is that is acceptable.”

Jackson Knight entertained attendees with saxophone music during the meal and Naomi Lou provided a piano number before the main awards were handed out.

Dan Carbaugh, a retired mechanical engineer, was recognized by Seals. Dan helps the children with homework and was certified as a lifeguard.

“He is probably the best program volunteer we’ve ever had,” Seals said. “He stays busier now that when he worked.”

Nellie Foust and her group from First Baptist Morristown comes to the club on Tuesdays to play game and offer Bible lessons.

Carl and Sandy Storms were also recognized for their two-day a week volunteers, providing snacks on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Caroline Bunch and Sheriff Chad Mullins each received the Golden Youth Award. Logan Wild and Scott McMinn received the Service to Youth Award

Businesses receiving awards of support for 2025 were Allegra Printing, the Citizen Tribune, Rev. Roy Dalton, Food City, Ed Hale, Doris Loar, Precision Ladders and WCRK-WMTN Radio.

Outgoing Chairman Steve Rippetoe was also honored for his term on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors by incoming Chairman Ritchie Broyles. Broyles praised Rippetoe’s dedication, passion to serve and outstanding membership over the last two years.

Rippetoe’s picture will be placed on the board presidents’ wall at the Club’s front entrance.

“You’ve done an excellent job as our board chair,” Broyles said. “Linda, (Steve’s wife), thank you for supporting us because we men need it.”

Broyles is looking forward to serving as Board Chair for the next two years.

“I’ve been on the board for nine years,” he said. “I see what a difference this club makes in the youth. They do absolutely wonderful. I know what we want to and I’m excited to continue all of the opportunities to help these other children in our community.”

Boys and Girls Club supporters Max Biery and Ruby Glasscock were memorialized as both recently died. Glasscock died July 25 and Biery died February 8, 2026.