1. What does the phrase “Inner Rockstar” mean to you?
The phrase means to be exactly who you are as a person and excelling – I think your true self is your inner rockstar!
2. Tell us about a success you achieved through the support of your Club?
When I worked at Camp Kiwanis and I achieved the LINK of the Year Award.
3. Tell us about a barrier or challenge that your Club helped you to overcome?
A major barrier I used to have when I was young was that I was very share. Working at Camp Kiwanis helped me to become more outgoing and become a leader. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone helped me to get past my shyness and do things I never thought I could do before.
4. Why is your Boys & Girls Club important to you?
The Club is important to me because it helped me to become part of a new family and new friend group in my community. The Club staff and other members have supported me and helped me through a lot of things in my life.
5. Who else has been a major influence in your life?
My mom and my god mom have been the biggest influences in my life. They raised me and allowed me to make mistakes, and taught me to learn from those mistakes. They helped me to become a better person. My mom encouraged me to attend the Club, which was another great idea of hers.
6. What exciting or cool experiences have you had because you were a member at your Club?
When I was 10 I was at the Club and went into the art room one day. I made a cool mask our of clay and paint, and they later displayed the mask. It boosted my confidence and was really cool to see my work be appreciated.
7. In what ways has your Club supported your goals for college, post-secondary education, and career?
The Club helped me to learn what and who I wanted to be – working at Camp Kiwanis helped me to realize that I love working with animals and helping them. I want my staff at my future vet clinics to give a special family touch towards our clients just like the Club has done for me. We will care for their animals and love them just as much as they do.
8. Do you volunteer in your community or at the Club? Can you share a few examples of this?
I have my own lawn care business, give toys to less fortunate kids during Christmas time, and am always doing service projects at Camp so that the next people who come have an awesome experience & can enjoy the spaces as much as I do.
For my lawn care business, my mom told me she will give me everything that I need, but anything that I want I have to figure out a way to get it myself. She supplied me with the necessary tools to get started but taught me how to interact with people and build my clientele. I was about 12 when I started it 3 years ago. I have started to expand outside of just the lawns in my community.
9. What worries you the most about your future?
What worries me most isn’t my own individual future, but the future of the next generation. Covid has led to the separation of people, especially online bullying.
10. What are you doing/can you do to spark positive change?
I want to be able to use my voice to encourage other teens to use their voice. I want to show them that we matter and have to lead by example, especially for those who are considered the “weird kid” or consider themselves outsiders. You are different but that’s a good thing! In order to be number one, you have to odd. In order to rise to the top, you have to be different.
Join us for the 2021 Livestream Youth of the Year Experience on November 12th!
Themed “Breakthrough Stars”, this livestream will celebrate Atlanta’s most inspiring teens and fundraise to support important Boys & Girls Clubs programs.
During this livestream, you’ll have the opportunity to hear speeches from our teens about where they started, how your generous support has helped shape who they are today, and what big dreams they have for the future. At the finale, one of our deserving teens will be presented with the organization’s most prestigious honor – 2021/2022 Youth of the Year. We’ll also have entertainment streaming from Atlanta’s very own Gritz & Jelly Butter Band and Lilac Wine.
Don’t miss our livestream experience!
Follow us for updates on Youth of the Year at #BGCMA #YouthOfTheYear and #GreatFutures