Meet Justice: Youth of the Year for A. W. “Tony” Matthews Boys & Girls Club

Justice

1) How long have you been a member of Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta?

I have been a part of the Boys and Girls for 4 years.

2) Why is your Boys & Girls Club important to you?

Boys & Girls Club is important to me because it is always an opportunity for me to better myself and they always strive and mold me to be the best version of me.

3) What is your career goal? What do you want to do, be when you grow up?

I want to major in health science and human services because I have always had a soft spot in my heart to help other people, and as a Christian, that’s what I am supposed to do. I want to be involved with other people life’s because, with social media and everything else people have been struggling with self-identity, depression, and difference types of mental health issues and I just want to be that person they can leave on.

4) How has your Club supported your goals for college, post-secondary education, and career?

My Club has been supporting my goals for college by emailing me scholarships every Wednesday and helping me sign up for the college, career, and service fair.

5) Who has been a major influence in your life? Why?

A major influence in my life has to be my family because they have always been there for me and supporting me They have seen my struggles and success. They have always pushed me to be better than the person I was yesterday, and that’s why I am the person I am today.

6) What is a success you achieved through the support of your Club?

Through my membership at the Club, I had the opportunity to be nominated for Posse. Posse Foundation provides an opportunity for young scholars to gain access to scholarships at top universities, teach leadership qualities, and prepare young people to be leaders of tomorrow.

7) What is a challenge that your Club helped you overcome?

A challenge that my Club helped me overcome was my stage fright and public speaking. I got involved in programs at my Boys & Girls Club that I never thought I would be interested in, but that’s not the case, and enjoyed every bit of it. Now I am better than I was before.

8) Do you volunteer in your community or at the Club? Can you share a few examples of this?

I volunteer at my Boy’s & Girls Club with a food drive for the homeless and I planted trees in Downtown Atlanta. I also volunteer with my church for the holidays.

9) Why do you believe it is important for teens to use their voice in today’s society?

It is important for teens to use their voice in today’s society because it is a way for the teen to express themselves and talk about different viewpoints and experiences they had. It could impact someone else life without them even knowing,  That’s called the Power of Perspective.

10) What are you doing, what can you do to spark positive change in today’s society?

I can spark positive change in today’s society by talking to people. Instead of doing all of the talking, I can listen instead, build relationships, build confidence with other people, and always be a light for other people so we can gleam together.

11) What moment or moments in your Club do you believe have shaped you to serve as your Club’s Youth of the Year

Moments in my Club that shaped me to serve as my Club’s Youth of the Year is my work ethic, my leadership skill, me following directions, and always willing to do things for others.