Albany backs its future as Butts named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

ALBANY — What is typically a spacious, airy foyer was filled wall to wall Thursday as community leaders, donors and longtime supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany gathered inside the newly opened St. Nicholas Hotel — a turnout that reflected both the scale of support for the organization and the energy behind its mission.

A VIP luncheon, held hours before the organization’s annual Steak and Burger Dinner and fundraiser, served as both a show of appreciation and a clear reminder: The work of the club is powered not just by its programs, but by the people who choose to invest in them. By nightfall, that investment would take center stage in the form of three students whose stories embody the organization’s impact.

The Youth of the Year honor, the Boys & Girls Clubs’ highest recognition, is awarded annually to a teen who exemplifies academic success, leadership, service and character — a distinction that often opens doors to scholarships, regional competition and long-term opportunity.

This year’s finalists reflected that standard.

Haiden Dorman, a sophomore at Westover Comprehensive High School, has built a resume grounded in both academics and service. Active in Future Business Leaders of America and college-readiness programs such as Albany State University’s Educational Talent Search and EOC Ramp Up, Dorman also has dedicated time to community-focused efforts like the Foster Kids Book Club. She plans to pursue a career as a medical interpreter, combining communication skills with a desire to serve others.

“I think probably my experiences as not only a member of the club, but also as a foster kid, have been enlightening experiences on how others need help,” Dorman said. “They may not be able to say anything, but I’ve learned I can be a voice for people, and I think that’s really important — being an advocate for other people.”

Alaila Lane, a sophomore representing Dougherty County through homeschool education, has centered her efforts on service — particularly through volunteering with the Boys & Girls Clubs. With aspirations in health care informatics, Lane’s focus reflects both technical ambition and a commitment to improving outcomes for others.

For Lane, it’s the small, everyday moments that have shaped her sense of impact.

“When it came to volunteering, I think just helping little kids feel happy, I feel like that really made a big impact on them,” she said.

Javien Butts, a senior at Dougherty Comprehensive High School, entered the evening with a broad portfolio of leadership and achievement. A member of Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club and multiple athletic teams, including track and field, cross country and basketball, Butts has consistently balanced academics with extracurricular involvement. He said he plans to pursue a future in business leadership, weighing college options based on scholarship opportunities.

By the end of the night, Butts was named the 2026 Youth of the Year.

“Honestly, leadership is the main reason why I think I was selected,” Butts said. “I established and learned at a young age how to be a leader, how to give back to my community. And I think that’s the reason that I got to be here — not just because of good behavior, not just because of my grades, but because it’s my job to make our community better.”

The announcement, made during the organization’s Steak and Burger Dinner — its signature annual fundraiser — served as a tangible example of what donor support makes possible, pairing a shared meal with the mission of investing in young people. The event continues to serve as a cornerstone for funding programs that provide mentorship, academic support and enrichment opportunities for youths across the community.

Connection emerged as the unspoken theme throughout the day, leaving attendees with a clear understanding of their role in sustaining opportunities for growth.

For the finalists, the recognition alone marks a significant milestone. For Butts, the title places him among a select group of youth ambassadors who will go on to represent Albany at higher levels of competition, carrying not only his own ambitions, but the expectations of a program built on leadership, service and accountability.

By the end of the night, the message was clear: The return on the community’s investment isn’t abstract — it’s visible, measurable and already in motion.