2026 BT Louisiana Spirit of Youth Awards

Meet our 2026 Spirit of Youth Award Honorees!

Spirit of Youth Award Honoree Lucio "Lou" Fragoso President & CEO, Manning Family Children's

Lucio Fragoso has dedicated his career to one mission: improving the health and well-being of children across Louisiana and the Gulf South. Under his leadership, Manning Family Children's completed a $300 million campus expansion, launched the ThriveKids Student Wellness Program serving tens of thousands of students in schools across the region, and expanded access to behavioral health, trauma services, and cutting-edge treatments including gene therapy for sickle cell disease. In 2025, he ran the Leadville Trail 100 - a 100-mile ultramarathon through Colorado's Rocky Mountains - in honor of 100 patients, raising more than $250,000 for the hospital's work. His leadership reflects a belief that lasting change in pediatric health requires sustained investment in communities, schools, and families.

 
Spirit of Youth Award Honoree Winston Rhea Scholars

Founded by Daniel Harris - himself a former foster youth - Winston Rhea Scholars is a New Orleans-based nonprofit offering young adults leaving foster care something rare: sustained, individualized support through early adulthood. The organization selects 2-3 scholars each year and walks alongside them for four consecutive years, providing mentorship, community connection, and wraparound resources including mental health services, housing assistance, financial literacy, and career readiness. Winston Rhea fills a critical gap for some of our region's most vulnerable young people, offering not just a scholarship, but a community.

A Night to Shine for Bright Futures

Every year thousands of young people leave foster care without a strong support system.

Too many leave high school early, too few make it to college, and far too many face homelessness or instability within their first year on their own.

Boys Town Louisiana works every day to change that story.

Through our nationally recognized Model of Care, we reach thousands of children and families across the state, breaking barriers and opening doors to opportunity every single day.

Join the celebration on March 20, 2026!

On Friday, March 20, 2026, the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain in New Orleans City Park will come alive for the Spirit of Youth Awards Gala - an unforgettable evening of reception, dinner, live music, and vibrant community celebration.

Together we'll shine a spotlight on the remarkable teenagers in our residential programs and honor outstanding community members with the Spirit of Youth Award.