Meet Kendall: Youth of the Year for Anderson Club Boys & Girls Club

Kendall

Club membership: 3 years

Post-Secondary/Career Interest: “I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do, but I’m really passionate about sports, especially lacrosse. I enjoy playing and can see myself possibly pursuing a professional career in the sport. At the same time, I’m also interested in exploring fields like law. I want to attend a good college where I can grow both athletically and academically, but I haven’t decided on a specific school or major yet. My main goal is to keep my options open and further explore my interests as I grow.”

Why is your Boys & Girls Club important to you? “My Boys & Girls Club is important to me because it has provided a space to use my voice and address issues that matter to me. I was initially shy, but through opportunities like trips and networking, I’ve become more comfortable with public speaking and advocating for what I care about. The Club has also helped me connect with people and businesses, opening doors that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

How does it feel to represent your Club as Youth of the Year? What does it mean to you? “It feels amazing to represent my Club as Youth of the Year. It gives me a platform to speak on issues that I believe in, like mental health, and use my voice for those who might not be as comfortable speaking out. It’s exciting to know that I can make a difference by advocating for others, and it feels great to represent my peers in such an important way.”

Meet Kendall: Kendall is a 15-year-old sophomore at Marietta High School and has been a member of the James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club for three years. Passionate about lacrosse and exploring fields like law, she aims to attend college to grow both athletically and academically. The Club has helped Kendall find her voice, build confidence, and advocate for issues such as mental health as Youth of the Year. She hopes to raise awareness around mental health, especially for kids dealing with trauma, and leave a lasting legacy by inspiring future generations to create positive change. 

“My Club helped me break out of my shell and become more confident in expressing myself. Before joining the Boys & Girls Club, I was pretty quiet and didn’t like speaking up. But through the programs and support at the Club, I’ve become more social and learned to stand up for what I believe in. The Club helped me become a leader, not a follower, and that’s something I’m really proud of.”