2025 YOUTH OF THE YEAR: Jurney’s Remarkable Journey

At the age of 6, Jurney walked into the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County for the first time. He needed an escape. His mom was battling cancer, and as a child, he says it was a dark time in his life. The Boys and Girls Club became a refuge for him and a place where he got much needed support.

“He had a tough life growing up. Jurney could have been one of these kids who easily went left, but I’m very thankful Jurney turned out right”, said A. Jaye Johnson, one of Jurney’s mentors.

Jurney found joy in basketball, football, track and cross country through the Boys and Girls Club. And he also found a love for something he never would have experienced had it not been for the Club: Gardening. Now 12 years after he walked through the Boys and Girls Club door for the first time, he is about to graduate from Millwood High School. Jurney will be heading to Langston University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business.

“I never thought I’d go to college honestly, until the Club started pitching those ideas to me. I plan on getting a farm. But first I’ll start locally helping my community, the east side, helping them get fresh fruits and fresh vegetables,” said Jurney when asked about his future.

The Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County awarded Jurney with its “Youth of the Year” award. He’ll now be up for the national honor.