Teens Recognized for Outstanding Leadership in School, Club, and Community
Atlanta, GA – September 3, 2019 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) is proud to announce its 2019-2020 Youth of the Year winners from local Clubs throughout the city. The prestigious Youth of the Year award is BGCMA’s highest honor, recognizing teens from Clubs in the metro Atlanta area who are working hard, investing in themselves, and demonstrating leadership in their schools, Clubs, and communities.
This year, winners from more than 20 Boys & Girls Club locations will be honored at the annual Youth of the Year Fundraising Gala on Friday, November 8 at the Delta Flight Museum. Nearly 500 attendees – including local politicians, business leaders, and advocates – are expected to attend this year’s Youth of the Year celebration. The honorees will compete for the title of Metro Atlanta Youth of the Year.
“We’re so excited about these teens’ accomplishments,” said Missy Dugan, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “Despite the steep hurdles many of these youth face, they continue to develop into strong young leaders with clear voices who are positively impacting not only their own lives, but the lives of their peers, and the community around them.” Echoing this year’s theme, Ready. Set. Fly., the 2019 honorees have their sights set on a great future and are ready to takeoff in both their academic and career pursuits after high school. Congratulations to the following local winners:
- Brian Ariza Pinzon, A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club
- Makiya Worthy, A.W. Tony Matthews Boys & Girls Club
- Chris Lugo, At-Promise Boys & Girls Club
- Kimberly Heard, A.R. Gus Barksdale Boys & Girls Club
- Jelani Spain, Camp Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club
- Harry Jacob Nelson III, Carroll County Boys & Girls Club
- Nahomy Piedra, Chamblee Boys & Girls Club
- John Fambrough, Douglas County Boys & Girls Club
- Nyree Wright, East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club
- Trevon Gladmon, John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club
- Jonathan Johnson, James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club
- Brookelynn Bing, Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club
- Stacey Bernardo, Lawrenceville Boys & Girls Club
- Nia Richardson, Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club
- Alonah Watson, Michael A. Grant Boys & Girls Club
- Justin Wallace, Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club
- D’Kalyn Morris, Paulding County Boys & Girls Club
- Hannah Watlington, Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club
- Kevin Belcher, Thomasville Boys & Girls Club
- Aaliyah Freeman, Warren Boys & Girls Club
- Calandra White, Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club
In addition to the year-long program, local honorees participate in eight weeks of intensive preparation for the final competition. With help from dedicated mentors, teens work to fine tune skills related to interviewing, networking, writing and public speaking.
“We provide a safe place where thousands of kids and teens flourish each day and we want to make sure they continue to thrive when they leave our doors,” said Dugan. “Programs like this teach kids critical 21st century skills they can use in life and their careers.”
BGCMA thanks all of its corporate and individual sponsors for opening doors for our youth. To find out more about this year’s Youth of the Year event and how to purchase a table, visit https://www.bgcma.org/youthoftheyear2019. Follow the candidates’ journey on www.facebook.com/bgcma and www.twitter.com/BGCMA_Clubs using the hashtags #YouthOfTheYear and #BGCMA. For more information on how you can become involved in shaping great futures, visit https://www.bgcma.org/get_involved.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures. Through 20+ Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve nearly 3,000 youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. While the cost to effectively serve those who need us most is approximately $5,700 per member, families are asked to pay between $60 and $135 per child each year based on income; and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
Media Contact:
Adrienne Leon
Marketing & Communications Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Mobile: 404-295-6528
aleon@bgcma.org
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