Nludi Celestino, a senior at Casco Bay High School, has been selected as Boys & Girls Club of America’s 2026 Maine State Youth of the Year!  In recognition of being selected, Nludi also received a $ 2,500 scholarship awarded by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Nludi was awarded the state title on May 6.  He entered the state competition after being selected as Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Youth of the Year from a pool of candidates across the Southern Maine clubs in April by a panel of six community judges.  Nludi had to submit a resume and cover letter; write three essays and deliver a speech, while preparing for the panel of judges to interview him.  He now will head to New York in early June to compete in the  Youth  of the Year regional competition.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year competition is a local, state, regional and national contest that recognizes club members’ estraordinary achievements leadership, academic excellence, life and workforce readiness.

“On behalf of everyone at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, we are absoluately overwhemed with pride in celebrating Nludi Celestino being named Bys & Girls Clubs of America’s Maine Youth of the Year,” said Colleen Cooper, CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine.  “Nludi is the kind of young person who leaes a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.  His kindness, humility, leadership and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place truly embody everything this honor represents.”

Nludi was surprised and thankful to receive the award.  “Every candidate put in a lot of work for it and they were all amazing,” he said.  He is thankful to all the staf who helped support him and to the judges who saw his potential.