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Fourteen high school seniors from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati publicly committed to their next steps Wednesday in Price Hill, with students announcing plans ranging from university enrollment and military service to skilled trades and workforce careers.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati marked a new milestone for its graduating members on Wednesday
They hosted the organization’s first-ever “Senior Signing Day” at its Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center in Price Hill, at 1205 Dewey Ave.
Modeled after the signing day ceremonies familiar from college athletics, the event brought 14 high school seniors together to publicly announce their post-graduation plans in front of family members, mentors, and the club staff who have supported them throughout their youth. Notably, this was a proud moment for Boys & Girls Clubs participants. Nine of the 14 were individually recognized on stage, each signing a formal commitment card representing their chosen path — whether a university enrollment, a trade school program, military enlistment, or a direct entry into the workforce.
Senior Signing Day is about putting our teens front and center and celebrating everything they’ve worked toward.
— BILL BRESSER, CEO, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER CINCINNATI
We’re proud of all our teens’ success and will continue to cheer for them as they exit our Clubs and begin the next stage in their lives,
Bresser added, highlighting the ongoing support the Boys & Girls Clubs provide.
The ceremony reflected the organization’s growing emphasis on preparing youth for life after high school, including expanded workforce development initiatives and ongoing academic support programming across its network of clubs in the Cincinnati region. Importantly, Boys & Girls Clubs resources play a pivotal role in these endeavors.
| Name | Club / Center | Highlights | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braylon Griffin | Clem & Ann Buenger Club | 2026 BGCGC Youth of the Year runner-up | Attending Gateway Community & Technical College |
| Hon’essty James | Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center | 2026 BGCGC Youth of the Year | Attending the University of Cincinnati for psychology |
| Adriana Jackson | Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center | 2025 BGCGC Youth of the Year, National Honor Society, Honor Roll | Attending the University of Cincinnati |
| Aster Gilmore | Jeff Wyler Club | Marching band, National Honor Society, track | Attending Indiana University |
| Jaevion Robertson | Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center | JROTC cadet, Aiken High School | Enlisting in the U.S. Navy |
| Dreson McLaurin | Clem & Ann Buenger Club | — | Attending Northern Kentucky University for architectural engineering, with a minor in graphic design |
| Lily Workman | Jeff Wyler Club | Youth of the Year nominee, multiple academic and character awards | Attending Northern Kentucky University |
| Malachi Seymoure | Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center | — | Joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers |
The group’s post-graduation plans span four-year universities, community college, military service, and the skilled trades — a range the organization says reflects the diversity of pathways its programming is designed to support. These outcomes speak to the effectiveness of Boys & Girls Clubs programming.
While Wednesday marks the first formal Senior Signing Day, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati says it hopes to grow the celebration into an annual tradition, honoring graduating seniors across the region each spring.
The organization has served greater Cincinnati youth for more than 85 years through academic support, mentorship, and career-readiness programs. More information is available at bgcgc.org.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER CINCINNATI
For more than 85 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati has provided a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for local youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs’ commitment to academic support, mentorship, and career-readiness programs empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
FAQs
What is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati Senior Signing Day?
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati Senior Signing Day is a public ceremony recognizing graduating high school seniors for their post-graduation commitments, including college enrollment, trade school, military service and workforce pathways. The organization held its inaugural event in May 2026 at the Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center in Price Hill.
Where was the Senior Signing Day ceremony held in Cincinnati?
The 2026 ceremony took place at the Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center at 1205 Dewey Ave. in Price Hill. The event brought together students, families, mentors and community leaders to celebrate graduating seniors from multiple Boys & Girls Clubs locations across Greater Cincinnati.
Which colleges and career paths did BGCGC students choose?
Students recognized during the ceremony committed to schools including the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, Indiana University and Gateway Community & Technical College. Others chose military service or skilled trades programs, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the U.S. Navy.
How long has Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati served local youth?
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati has served youth in the region for more than 85 years through academic support, mentorship, after-school programming and career-readiness initiatives designed to help students prepare for life after graduation.
Why are workforce development programs becoming more important in Cincinnati?
Cincinnati employers across healthcare, construction, logistics, manufacturing and skilled trades continue facing workforce shortages, increasing demand for programs that connect students to real career pathways before graduation. Organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati are expanding workforce development efforts to help local students transition into college, trades and long-term careers while keeping more young talent connected to the region.
Source: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, press release issued May 8, 2026. Contact: Dan O’Keeffe, O’Keeffe PR, 513.235.8638.
