Jenessa

Jenessa began her Club journey in 2022, the summer after her eighth-grade year. Since then, she has been a constant shining light at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County. She joined the staff team as a Junior Staff in 2024 and was recently promoted to a Youth Development Assistant at the Bair Family Clubhouse. During her time at Club, Jenessa has grown from a reserved and shy teen member to a confident, warmhearted, and resilient young woman.

Jenessa believes the Club impacted her the most by providing her with positive mentorship and support through the many challenges she faced as she grew up. She writes: “Thankfully, during this time, I was a Club member; I knew I had at least one person I could tell.” Club became Jenessa’s safe space, and as the 2026 Yellowstone County Youth of the Year she is working to provide the same atmosphere for younger Club members. Her goal is to ensure that all youth are able to share their story with the world without fear.

At the Club, Jenessa has excelled in many roles. She is the current Keystone President, which is a high school leadership group that focuses on volunteering and giving back to the community. She has led the group to two National Keystone Conferences where they were able to meet other teens who share the same passion for leadership and service. She also managed the Teen Bean coffee shop, which provides members with job skills and experience. In 2024, Jenessa was recognized as the Montana Teen of the Year for her continued dedication to the Club mission and commitment to being a positive leader in her community.

Jenessa is an excellent representative of the Club’s core values, and her continued self-advocacy and resilience make her truly deserving of the title of Yellowstone County Youth of the Year. Jenessa has been accepted to Montana Academy of Salons and will complete cosmetology school starting in the fall of 2026.