Meet Gerald: Youth of the Year for Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club

Gerald

Club membership: 6 months

Post-Secondary/Career Interest: “I plan to study film, media, and entertainment at a four-year university. With my education, I hope to expand my current videography business into producing feature films, commercials, and TV series. I also aim to grow my music ministry and tour the world as a renowned gospel artist!”

Why is your Boys & Girls Club important to you? “The Boys & Girls Club gives me daily opportunities to grow as a community leader. As a Youth Employment Participant (Y.E.P.), I’ve learned the value of communication, time management, accountability, and professionalism—four skills I believe will lead to success in life. The club has also shaped my passion for helping youth in my community, and my plan B is likely a career in early childhood development.”

How does it feel to represent your Club as Youth of the Year? What does it mean to you? “Representing the Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club as Youth of the Year is an honor I won’t take for granted. As one of the oldest teens in my club, I believe it’s important to show everyone—even the youngest kids—that our club is special and we all have unique gifts that can lead to success beyond our town. To succeed, we don’t need to change who we are, but we should trust the BGC staff, as they are here to help us become great!”

Meet Gerald: Gerald is a 17-year-old senior at East Coweta High School and a new  member of the Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club. He plans to study film, media, and entertainment at a four-year university to grow his videography business and pursue a career as a gospel artist. KJ values his Boys & Girls Club for teaching him leadership skills through the Youth Employment Participant (Y.E.P.) program and providing opportunities to perform. As Youth of the Year, he hopes to inspire younger members to embrace their talents and trust the Club’s support. For KJ, a legacy of impact means inspiring others through kindness and humility. 

“The Club has supported my career in performing and has given me multiple opportunities to do it through events such as our Christmas show and our amazing black history program. Additionally, as a Youth Employment Participant (Y.E.P.), I enjoy helping younger Club members with their homework and developing engaging/educational games for them to play. The Y.E.P. program has helped me discover my passion for helping young children, and I believe my plan B is to become an educator in early childhood development.”