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Olivia G. – 2026 Youth of the Year

INTRO

“Hello, Olivia!” staff would say as I walked through those BIG glass doors of the Boys & Girls Club. I was in first grade.

At that age, the world felt comfortable and kind, filled with trust, love, and the belief that I could shape what happened next in my life.

At that time the Club was like my playground. The swings could launch me into outer space, and the slide was a portal to anywhere in the world. I felt joyful and carefree, allowed to explore and take risks. Back then, my imagination was in charge and because of that, I could be anything.

By third grade things changed. I was bullied at school, to everyone else, I was the bubbly, full-of-life child. But on the inside I felt scared and unsure. And little by little, I started to become less joyful and less carefree.

FAMILY

The biggest pressure on me was centered around my family. 

My biological father was struggling in life. The way he spoke and talked to people often raised many concerns and seemed really strange to me.

I didn’t understand why he did what he did at the time.

Then, as I got older, I started asking more questions. Eventually I learned the full story.

My biological dad has severe schizophrenia due to a carbon monoxide accident when he was eighteen and many other mental health problems caused from addictions and trauma.

When I finally understood, I felt powerless, broken, and defeated. 

Even at the Club, I felt as if the joyful, carefree playground was starting to rust.

Spending time with Talaya, playing games and talking about life really distracted me from the oncoming waves of the emotions of life.

CLUB

The Club is my safe haven. It gives me a space to process my emotions when things feel heavy.

My best friend Olivia, who I met through the Club. Is someone who helps me through thick and thin. She’s a really amazing listener, always there for me especially while I’m going through anything in life. She’s someone who conquered the heights of the playground with me.

Club staff were always there to help me when I was younger, bandaging up bumps and scratches. As life challenged me,

Talaya, a Club staff, was always there to help push me higher. Motivating me to try new things and go above and beyond in what I believe I can do. Making me feel as if I was never playing alone, I felt seen and heard.

The Club has been there for me since I was in first grade. It’s helped me overcome many challenges and created a space where I feel comfortable, stress free, and where I can be my most authentic self.

MY FUTURE

In the last two months, I lost my closest grandparent to cancer, my dog Buddy, and my mentor Talaya who moved to another state working at another Boys and Girls Club.

Tough moments have really shaped my life, they spark something inside of me that only comes from rock bottom, making me want to keep going. With this spark, I am planning on taking AP science classes in high school and all the medical classes I can take to graduate. After graduation I plan on going to college and then onto medical school.        

Ideally I want to be in the medical field to help those in need. Like my Boys and Girls Club did for me, I want to be a person who will make the playground safe and carefree for others.

The Club has shown me that it is incredibly important to take good care of the people in my life.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Little did I know that “Hey, Olivia!” When I walked into the big glass doors for the first time, it was the beginning of a great future. MY future. 

For me, it was the people at the Club who showed up for me, and that was what helped create my joyful, carefree playground.

Change is normal and if you’re scared, (pause) do it anyway.

They taught me something I didn’t understand at the time, that freedom lives in imagination, that I can be bubbly and have emotions, and that courage starts with believing anything is possible. 

Even as the world gets louder with pressures, expectations, challenges, and change.

I will always choose to remember that child on the swing, fearlessly reaching for the sky. But never forget the people at the Club who offered to push me higher and always believed I could accomplish anything. Making me believe in MY great future.

– Olivia G.

Lou Ann Knorr receives the Sue Engel Spirit of the Mission Award at the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area Annual Gala

Bemidji, Minn. – The Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area recognized former board member Lou Ann Knorr with the Sue Engel Spirit of the Mission Award at its Annual Gala on February 20, 2026 at the SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji.

The Spirit of the Mission — established in 2023 in memory of Engel, founding board member and first president — is awarded annually in recognition of an individual who demonstrates extraordinary volunteerism, passionate advocacy and promotion of the Club’s activities and mission, and meaningful financial support that advances its impact.

Knorr was a member of the Club board of directors from 2013 to 2022 and served as treasurer for eight of those years. She also chaired the Finance Committee and sat on the Executive Committee. She drew on her professional experience after retiring from Des Moines Community College, the largest community college system in Iowa, where she served 27 years in business education.

“Lou Ann is a strategic and compassionate leader, never taking for granted the contributions of others,” said Andrea Kent, Club executive director. “She helped lead the Club through financially difficult times and helped establish best practices that continue to serve the Club well today. The impact of her leadership has been far-reaching in serving youth and families, as well as Club staff, volunteers and donors.”

Knorr helped the Club transition from grant-based to donor-based funding and established the Club’s Endowment and Gift Acceptance policies. Then she and her husband, John Knorr, made the Club’s first stock donation to help train Club staff and ensure the process worked smoothly.

“She and John always went above and beyond the call of duty,” said Kent. “They cared about all of us at the Club.”

Knorr sat on the Boys & Girls Clubs Greater Midwest Area Council, supporting youth regionally. She was a key leader in the construction of the Club parking lot, better membership fee structures, updated bylaws, finance and human resources policies and resource development capacity.

She volunteered generously at Club events. The annual quilt festival, Harvest Dinner, annual Golf Championship, Gala and National Night Out.

In 2015 when the Club’s former Holidays by Hand festival lost its leader, Knorr assumed leadership, coordinating the event for the next two years.

Knorr is the daughter of Irene and the late Harding Vidden of Fertile, Minn. Her mother and three sisters attended the Gala to celebrate her achievements. Knorr and her husband reside in Puposky.

THE ISSUE AT HAND:

Bemidji Schools is considering the closure of J.W. Smith Elementary, which also houses a branch of our Boys & Girls Club afterschool activities as part of a 21st Century Community Learning Center funded by a grant by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT CLUB FAMILIES:

• Since opening the J.W. Smith Branch in Fall 2023, we have served 194 unique youth, an average of 70-80 per day.
• The Club uses the field, track, and playground at the elementary school for both Clubhouse and J.W. Smith Branch programs that benefit the entire community, like National Night Out, and year-round for Club activities.
• Tweens and teens are able to bus from the middle school and high school to J.W. Smith Elementary then walk to the Clubhouse.
• J.W. Smith Branch is located within walking distance of many Club families’ homes, therefore it would be an extra burden on the family not to have this proximity.
• Any and all of these children and teens could be negatively affected by the closure of J.W. Smith Elementary.

WHAT DOES THE CLUB DO AT J.W. SMITH:

MDE recognized the J.W. Smith Branch of the Boys & Girls Club as the best 21st Century Community Learning Center site they’ve seen in over 8 years, and says we are on track to have our grant renewed for three more years.

Club programs at J.W. Smith Branch, at no cost to families, focus on:

1. Reading supports
2. Math supports
3. Social, emotional, and behavioral supports
4. Accessible programming
5. Opportunities for a variety of enrichment
6. Food resources
7. Cultural programming

These are complementary to the Club’s key impact areas, offered at all sites: academic success, health & wellbeing, character & leadership, and workforce readiness. The Club program at J.W. Smith is successful because of the relationships with teachers, staff, and families to ensure youth are benefitting from a collective approach and belief in their ability to create great futures.

WHAT CAN YOU DO:

Contact the school board and superintendent to let them know that you are opposed to the closure of J.W. Smith Elementary and urge them to explore more solutions.

Please copy and paste this language, or write your own message:

I am a constituent in the Bemidji School District, and I am opposed to the closure of J.W. Smith Elementary. The closure would be detrimental to youth and families who rely on this neighborhood school to provide a sense of belonging and community. I value the partnership that has been carefully built with the Boys & Girls Club to provide afterschool activities at J.W. Smith Branch and we should continue to prioritize the intentional and impactful programs that benefit Club Kids. I urge the school board and superintendent to continue exploring other alternatives for a solution to the financial situation, one that does not include the closure of this critical neighborhood school and community resource.

Signed, your name and contact information

CONTACT:

Superintendent Jeremy Olson: dr_jeremy_olson@nullisd31.net

Todd Haugen: Todd_Haugen@nullisd31.net

Ann Long Voelkner: Ann_LongVoelkner@nullisd31.net

Jenny Frenzel: Jenny_Frenzel@nullisd31.net

Anna Manecke: Anna_Manecke@nullisd31.net

David Wall: Dave_Wall@nullisd31.net

Jack Aakhus: Jack_Aakhus@nullisd31.net

Olivia K. – 2026 Junior Youth of the Year

INTRO

Have you ever been watching a heated game, and noticed the way fans cheer for their teams?

The Boys and Girls Club has been cheering for me through everything.

At the beginning of my journey through the Boys and Girls Club I came for convenience. It was near my elementary school, and was open till my parents got off work. 

I was immediately surrounded by all of the nice staff and opportunities that were presented to me. I constantly asked for more time with friends.

CHALLENGES

But, in elementary school I had no idea that there would be another team that I would have to face. 

In third grade I was bullied by my own “friends”. I decided that I shouldn’t try to deal with this alone, so I asked for help. Staff helped me learn healthy ways to cope and stand up for myself. 

FAMILY

Fourth grade had many wins and very few losses…. or so I thought. I went overseas to see family with my dad. When we returned my father was different….  He had started to separate from us and started sleeping downstairs. 

The summer going into fifth grade my Grandpa had passed away. My dad started drinking and calling overseas often. This was a change in the game, a HUGE one.

Then sixth grade was when it all started to show on the outside. I felt like I was drowning. My mom and dad were unhappy together, which then led to the divorce. Middle school was difficult and the bullying began again. 

These things made me bitter and angry, but more than that, it made me sad. 

CLUB

At the Boys and Girls Club I always had a support system. The first teen/tween staff I met was Talaya. She never gave up on me. No matter what.

Just like my best friend Olivia G. who I met through the Boys and Girls Club. These two have been key players in the past few years and still continue to be.  

I spent all of middle school looking for answers, answers I never would have found without the help from the staff at Boys and Girls Club. 

This past summer I made a HUGE comeback. 

One day I saw a video of this blonde basketball player. Her name was Paige Bueckers. 

She made me realize that it is possible to succeed even though there will be hardships. 

With that, I decided to transfer from Trek North to Bemidji Middle School. I joined volleyball in early August and learned my love for sports. When volleyball ended I started to go back to Boys and Girls Club. 

At this time, I was contemplating if I should join basketball or not. And with support from my friends and staff they convinced me to play.

I finally feel like I belong, and I have a purpose. 

MY FUTURE/FINAL THOUGHTS

I participated in programs Triple Play and Career Launch that I really love sports. I want to be a physical therapist specifically for the Women’s National Basketball Association.

I want to be the reason that someone gets to return to the game they love.  

Just like how the club helped me and completely changed my life.

Though I never thought I’d be an underdog in my own life, the game isn’t over yet. The final buzzer hasn’t gone off yet. 

– Olivia K.

Congratulations to our incredible 2026 Local Youth of the Year and Junior Youth of the Year winners!

Olivia G. – 2026 Youth of the Year
Olivia K. – 2026 Junior Youth of the Year

We are so proud of you and all of our Finalists!

Each of our candidates showed immense courage by stepping forward, sharing their stories, and allowing their voices to be heard. That kind of bravery is no small thing. It’s like beginning a climb before you can see the summit. Every word shared, every moment of vulnerability, and every challenge faced along the way reflects strength, resilience, and heart.

We are especially excited that Olivia G. will be heading to the Minnesota State Capitol for the State Competition in March, carrying her story beyond our community to inspire others from across Minnesota. Her journey is a reminder that leadership isn’t about standing at the finish line, it’s about walking the path with purpose and lighting the way for others as you go.

To all of our candidates: you are proof that the future is bright, resilient, and full of heart. We are endlessly proud of you and can’t wait to see how each of you continues to grow and shine.

Please join us in celebrating all of our local competition finalists:

Michael Potter (Clubhouse) – Youth of the Year Finalist
Amarachi Ogugua (Clubhouse) – Junior Youth of the Year Finalist
Ellie Gordon (Blackduck) – Junior Youth of the Year Finalist

A special thank-you to our panel of judges:

Rose Brown, Dr. Thomas Dirth, Larry Kent, Alyssa Kruger, Janet Nelson, Steve Nelson and Karla Schumacher

From Weeds to Wildflowers: The Club’s Native Garden Takes Root

This summer, the Bemidji Clubhouse kicked off an exciting new project to transform two swales, or ditches, in our east parking lot into a vibrant native pollinator garden, funded through a generous grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

In partnership with Minnesota Native Landscaping and the Beltrami County Soil & Water Conservation District, we’re working to create a sustainable, healthy garden filled with native flowers that will attract important pollinators like bees and butterflies. Instead of quack grass and invasive weeds, the swales will be bursting with color and life!

Last August, a group of amazing Club volunteers and BSU nursing students laid black plastic over the swales to eliminate unwanted vegetation without the use of herbicides. Next spring, the plastic will be removed, the soil tilled, and a diverse mix of native wildflowers will be planted.

We can’t wait to see the Club in full bloom!

Andrea Kent inducted to Greater Midwest Area Council Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame

BEMIDJI – Andrea Kent, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, has been inducted into the Greater Midwest Area Council Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in recognition for her tireless efforts in support of local youth.

The honor is reserved for individuals whose high achievements have made a mark on their local Club and have shaped and inspired regional Clubs in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Kent joined the Boys & Girls Club in 2009 and became Executive Director in 2012. In her nearly 15 years of service, Kent has always been a strong believer in the mission of the Club and an advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs locally and nationally.

“Her passion for the mission and the children of our community is infectious, and we are grateful for her every day.”

“Andrea is the driving force pushing our Club forward into the future,” shared Dan Nynas, chair of the Club’s Board of Directors. “Her passion for the mission and the children of our community is infectious, and we are grateful for her every day.”

Under Kent’s leadership, the organization has expanded from one site to three, making it possible for the Club to serve more youth, families, and communities. In 2023, the Boys & Girls Club opened a second site in partnership with Bemidji Schools at J.W. Smith Elementary. In 2024, after hearing about the city’s need for child care, a Blackduck Branch was opened.

“I see this not as a job, but as a calling,” Kent said while accepting the honor. “It’s a great honor to serve alongside such an incredible, talented, and dedicated team who believe that collectively we can make a real difference in the lives of our children, teens, families, and our Bemidji and Blackduck communities.”

The Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area now serves nearly 500 youth annually. In 2024, it had 492 members across its three sites, and served 25,784 free, healthy snacks and meals to youth.

Kent shared that she could not have done the work she has without the support of the staff at Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, its board of directors, or most importantly her parents, children, and husband.

“Absolutely, positively, I can’t do this important work with their love and support,” Kent said. “Thank you all for supporting and inspiring me. I’m humbled and honored.”

To make a gift in honor of Andrea Kent’s dedicated service as a recipient of this award, please click button below.

Statement on 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Funding Delay

There are two important issues happening at the federal level right now that affect Club funding.

1. There is $7B in funding that was already allocated to out-of-school programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers that is currently being held for review. Note: This funding hold is not related to the “Big Beautiful Bill” – a tax bill recently passed.

2. The proposed budget from President Trump does not include funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

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