SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe honored youth and supporters during its 4th annual Bright Futures Awards Ceremony on May 20, 2026, at Heavenly’s California Main Lodge. The Club thanks Epic Promise for providing the venue and the amazing team at the lodge for their efforts and assistance.
For the fourth year in a row, Untethered Workspace was the Title Sponsor, matching donations up to $25,000 to support BGCLT. In 2026, the Club will mark $200,000 raised through the Untethered Workspace Match Donation. The last day to donate towards this match is May 31. Double your impact here: bit.ly/untethered-bgclt-2026.
Shawn Christian, a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Club, was joined by his wife, Ari Zucker, as the master of ceremonies. Over 125 people attended as the Club celebrated 22 awardees and their supporters.
The event opened with the 35th Anniversary Presentation presented by Jane Kim, Director of Organizational Development for the Pacific Region. “For 35 years, the organization has provided a safe place, with caring adults and opportunities for the youth of South Lake Tahoe to become productive and responsible citizens,” said Kim.
Awards are as follows:
- Impact Award – Luis Munoz, Facilities Manager
- 10 Years of Being AWESOME, Celebrating 10 Years Employed at BGCLT – Ali Eller, Program Director
- Distinguished Service – Teresa Bravo, Bijou Youth Development Professional
- A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Awards
- Accountable for My Actions – Bodi, Meyers 4th Grade
- Welcoming to All – Thiago, Bijou Kindergarten
- Everyone is Valued – Julia, Meyers 3rd Grade
- Safe & Supportive – Hazel, Angel of Tahoe 1st Grade
- Open & Honest – Kyllyan, Tahoe Valley 2nd Grade
- Make Smart Choices – Hector, Angel of Tahoe 3rd Grade
- Excited for Fun – Eli, Tahoe Valley 3rd Grade
- Attendance Award – Angel of Tahoe Corlin, 5th Grade
- Art Award – Ameila, Angel of Tahoe 7th Grade
- STEM Award – Marie, Bijou TK
- Health & Wellness Award – James, Bijou 2nd Grade
- Soccer Awards – Aliyah, STMS 6th Grade & Jonathan, STMS 6th Grade
- Youth of the Year – Julio, Angel of Tahoe 8th Grade
- Community Partner of the Year – Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS), accepted by Sarah Hockensmith
- Jeff Tillman Award – Terri Arnold, Board Member and former President
- Angel of Tahoe Award – MacDuff’s Pub Tahoe, accepted by Iain Sievwright and Joe Zampino
- Advocate Champion Award – Sarah Bedy, Director of BGCA California Alliance
- Corporate Giving Award – Epic Promise Vail Resorts, accepted by John Jennings & Greg Kiskinen
The evening ended with the acknowledgement that in 2026, the Club will serve the highest number of youth in its history in the summer and continue its future expansion by opening a new site at Sierra House for grades TK–5 in Fall 2026. The Club will also be expanding its STEM, Art, Health & Wellness, and Sports programs to include career and technical education, teen leadership training, and the popular Dungeons & Dragons Club.
