Meet LonDahn: Youth of the Year for Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club

Club membership: Joined in 2023

Post-Secondary/Career Interest: Attend a 4-year college or university to become a criminal defense attorney and eventually have my own law firm.

How has your Club supported your goals for college, post-secondary education, and career? By giving me opportunities that have helped me become more confident, knowledgeable, and prepared for my future. One of my biggest goals is to become a lawyer, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta have played a meaningful role helping me explore that dream. Through Law Camp, I have gained so much knowledge about law, the justice system, leadership, and how important it is to advocate for yourself and others.

Why is it important for the youth to use their voice in today’s society? I think it’s important for youth to use their voices because we are the future, and our opinions and experiences matter. We are growing up in a world with so many different issues, and we should have a say in the changes that affect us. Using our voices inspire other young people to speak up, stand up for what they believe in, and make a difference in their communities. Even though we’re young, our voices can create real change when we use them with confidence and purpose.

Short Bio: LonDahn is a 17-year-old senior who credits Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta with helping her overcome her fear of public speaking. Before joining the Club she would gladly take an “F” in a class if it meant she didn’t have to speak in front of people. Looking back she realizes that it wasn’t that she couldn’t speak, it was that she didn’t have the confidence to believe that what she had to say was worth listening to. Her Club has helped her step outside her comfort zone and realize that her voice matters. Through different activities, opportunities, leadership experiences, and simply being encouraged to speak up, she has become much more comfortable expressing herself in front of others.—The Club has helped her overcome a fear that once held her back and has given her opportunities she never imagined she would have.