Teen recognized as 2025 Lawrence Youth of the Year for a 3rd time; fifth grader wins junior title

photo by: Jason Dailey Photography

Arabella Gipp

For the third time in her high school career, Arabella Gipp has been named the 2025 Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.

The annual Lawrence Youth of the Year ceremony took place Thursday at the Lied Center, where five candidates – Alex Johnson, Leah Anderson, Julia Johnson, Arabella Gipp and Abby Benally – presented speeches. The candidates all embodied the values of leadership service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles, according to a news release from the club.

Gipp, who took the top honor, spoke about how grateful she was for the mentors that helped guide and shape her into the person she is today. She is a senior at Lawrence High School and is an active member of her school’s journalism and video programs, and she also serves as a leader in the Keystone Club, according to a press release. Gipp plans to attend Johnson County Community College to study graphic design and pursue a career in digital media.

In her speech, Gipp shared how the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence helped her discover her identity through unwavering support and community. She looked back on her journey from kindergarten to her senior year of high school, highlighting how the club provided a constant and safe space where she could grow, pursue her interests, and navigate personal challenges.

“The Boys & Girls Club is my place and my family,” Arabella said in the release. “Being able to represent them and share the impact the Club has had on my life is something not a lot of people get to do. I am just so grateful to be a part of this program and the Club.”

Gipp has received the honor two other times, in 2022 and 2023. She also won the state contest in 2022, making it the sixth and most recent time the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence has produced the Kansas Youth of the Year.

On the younger front Thursday, Aiden Kong, a fifth grader at Sunflower Elementary School, won Junior Youth of the Year, which includes students in third through eighth grade. His speech focused on the support of his mentors as he faced racism as a Korean-American, and ultimately, his pride in being exactly the person he is, according to a press release. The other finalist was Grace Goodison, a fifth grader at Quail Run Elementary School.

Youth of the Year is the top recognition program for Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. The event was presented by Mid-America Bank for the seventh year in a row.

The panel of judges — Cori Wallace, Stephenie Smith, Randy Glidewell, Al Hack, Thomas Murray, Emily Peterson and Harry Herrington — spent the afternoon engaging with the teens through their essays and interviews before the ceremony. Each candidate then presented a speech to both the audience and the judges. Trei Wells, the 2012 National Youth of the Year, and Zion Bowlin, the 2017 Lawrence Youth of the Year, hosted the evening as emcees.

Gipp will go on to represent Lawrence in the state competition. State winners advance to regional and then national competitions.

photo by: Jason Dailey Photography

The 2025 Lawrence Youth of the Year candidates. From left to right, Leah Anderson, Arabella Gipp, Julia Johnson, Alex Johnson and Abby Benally.

photo by: Contributed

From left to right, Arabella Gipp, Alex Johnson, Leah Anderson, Julia Johnson and Abby Benally on their way to the in the limo on the way to the Lied Center of Kansas. The limo picked them up from their schools as their classmates wished them luck on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

photo by: Contributed

Arabella Gipp and her mentor, Chris Austin, at the candidate reception on Thursday, January 30, 2025.