Published May 22, 2026, 5:01 AM EDT
A 10th grader from New Jersey has been honored for her work at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
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Published May 22, 2026, 5:01 AM EDT
Emryn Welton has a new honor she never dreamed she would achieve. The 10th grader from southern New Jersey has been named "Military Youth of the Year" in the state for her leadership, service and academic excellence in a youth program hosted by the military installation and the Keystone Club of the Boys & Girls Club of America. For more than 30 years, the Department of Defense has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to offer various support programs to the youth at military installations in multiple states and around the world. In 2013, the Military Youth of the Year program was established to celebrate outstanding military-connected youth and teens. Welton won over 15 teen finalists representing Boys & Girls clubs and military-affiliated youth centers across the state. "Being able to work with other youth and get their perspectives on everything just boosted my confidence in being able to talk to them and get their ideas," said Welton in a video testimonial about the program, shared with Military.com. "The club definitely helped me with everything. I've been able to be more of a leader than I ever have been before."
