Fun competition teaches BGCMA kids the importance of eating right, staying active, and feeling empowered to live a healthy lifestyle
ATLANTA – Dozens of kids and teens put their culinary skills to the test at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s (BGCMA) Salsa, Salsa event on July 17. Hosted at Georgia Tech’s Student Success Center, the competition was tough, but in the end, expert judges crowned A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club in Norcross the top winner for its salsa dish “Spicy Sweet Salsa Like Us.” As part of the prize package, this winning salsa will be featured at a local Willy’s restaurant this summer.
Congratulations to A. Worley Brown Club members Kamryn Carpenter, Camille Goodman, Caren Goodman, Dashiya Lewis, and Club staff member Mettalayus Hart.
The Paulding County Club won the “People’s Choice” award this year.
Salsa, Salsa, an annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta event, celebrates eating right and staying active and highlights cooking and gardening programs at Clubs across the city. More than 20 Boys & Girls Clubs participated in this year’s event, competing to create the best salsa in the city and learning dance steps from a professional salsa dancer. (PHOTOS: Salsa, Salsa 2019)
Boys & Girls Club staff and partners launched the event several years ago to address the obesity epidemic among youth in our state. In fact, Georgia reports the third highest prevalence of overweight children in the country.
“Our gardening and cooking programs teach kids that eating right and staying active can be fun,” said Brendon Van Der Westhuizen, executive director of A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club. “It’s rewarding to see kids going back to their communities and sharing what they have learned. These programs also increase kids’ self-confidence by promoting discipline, responsibility, and teamwork – skills that can help them for many years to come.”
In preparation for the event, staff and kids at the A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club planted and maintained an expansive garden including tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, onions, and more. They also participated in Club sessions to learn about nutrition and how to incorporate fresh ingredients into their diet.
“We’re so proud of all of our young chefs who came out to compete this year,” said Missy Dugan, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “And a huge thank you to all of the partners and supporters that made this happen, including Willy’s Mexicana Grill, HealthMPowers, and all of our expert judges.”
For more information about Salsa, Salsa and ways to support programs that shape healthy lifestyles, visit www.bgcma.org/our-impact/health/
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures. Through 20 Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve nearly 3,000 youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that support college and career readiness, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. While the cost to effectively serve those who need us most is approximately $5,700 per member, families are asked to pay between $60 and $135 per child each year based on income; and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.