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2024 Youth of the Year Luncheon
May 23, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the Youth of the Year, serving as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth as well as a voice for all of our nation’s young people. Over the year, these individuals have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives.
Contact Alycia Young at ayoung@bgcsouthal.org or 251-432-1235 for more information.
Ryan M. joined the Bernard Malkove Branch seven years ago. He remembers going to the Club quietly, sitting alone as the other kids laughed and played. “I was too nervous to even speak to anyone,” Ryan remembers. Within weeks, he began to make friends and transformed from timid to outgoing and charismatic. His confidence grew, and the Club became his home away from home.
He wasted no time getting involved. He joined Clubs such as UPS Road Code, We Own Fridays, Ultimate Keystone Club, Job Ready Employee, and Boys & Girls Club Ambassador. He also mentors younger Club members. Ryan’s confidence from his Club experiences and the ability to share his personal challenges earned him top honors as the 2023 Boys and Girls Clubs of Alabama Youth of the Year (YOY) representative and Bernard Malkove Branch Youth of the Year, 2023 and 2024.
Outside of the Club, he participates in various school and community activities, from being an Honor Roll student and 30″ ACT Club at Baker High School to serving as a member of the FEMA Youth Council to being an officer with the Mobile Kappa League and receiving the Advisor’s Council Award and Sanford D. Bishop and Gabe Wright Awards for academic excellence and involvement.
Ryan plans to attend Morehouse College this Fall. He credits Pamela Thompson, Bernard Malkove’s teen coordinator, for her guidance and listening ear, and Jermaine West, director of teen services, for being a role model and making him a better young man. “I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am to have these two people in my life,” Ryan says. “They introduced me to many opportunities and continue contributing to my educational growth daily.”
Two and a half years ago, Chloe entered the Foley Boys & Girls Club. She had low self-esteem and struggled to make friends. She felt she was just existing and going through the motions. Thankfully, her parents, teachers, and Club staff’s support began to resonate with her, and she was motivated to be a better version of herself.
Chloe’s words echo the profound impact of Boys & Girls Clubs on her life. “The Club staff saw something in me that I couldn’t see myself,” Chloe explains. “Boys & Girls Clubs built me up and believed in me until I could believe in myself.”
The Foley honor roll student transformed, matured, and came into her own. She now describes herself as a learner, communicator, and resilient, as evidenced by her passion for advocacy in fighting beach pollution to preserve her environment and the lives of sea animals, especially sea turtles.
Chloe’s love for her coastal community has blossomed into a passion for environmental advocacy. She has inspired her family to join her in cleaning up the beaches before their leisurely visits. Her future plans include spearheading beach cleanup initiatives in her community, a testament to her commitment and leadership.
Club director Felicia Chesmer-Buhta is pleased with her progress. “Chloe is a natural leader, a bright light, and an excellent project manager. She conceptualizes situations and problems and is excellent at conflict resolution”, Chesmer says. Her plans include attending cosmetology school upon graduation from Foley High School in May 2027.
Jade L., a Baker High School student and Kiwanis Club member, describes herself as hardworking, a team player, and a supporter of others. However, five years before joining the club, she viewed herself differently. She transformed from shy and reserved to confident and empowered by participating in Club activities and programs such as basketball, Keystone Club, Ignite Teen Summer Program, and We Own Fridays.
Jade’s involvement in Club programs and her willingness to take on leadership roles have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth. They have not only helped her find her voice but also nurtured her entrepreneurial spirit. Through these experiences, she has learned to identify her strengths and weaknesses, paving the way for a career path focused on service.
She’s found joy in helping others and aspires to assist people, hear their stories, and help others reach their goals, especially youth. Her giving spirit is echoed by Chrystal Ramsey, Kiwanis Club program director, who describes Jade as an outstanding leader who’s transformed from that quiet, shy girl. “She shows up earlier than asked, works hard, and carries herself in a polite and respectable manner,” Ramsey says.
Kayleigh’s transformation from a timid Club kid to a confident leader showcases the growth and development she gained over eleven years as a Club kid. Programs like Power Hour, Ignite Club, Gavel Club, and Keystone Club, as well as mentorship and employment as a junior staffer with the Job Ready Program, honed her leadership skills and self-confidence. She also gained top honors as Optimist Branch Youth of the Year, 2023 for her outstanding character, leadership, and community service.
What started as a place to play at six turned into a safe haven for growth and development. “Now, I understand these programs were steering me in the right direction,” Kayleigh says, reflecting on her journey.
William Burks, Branch Director, speaks highly of Kayleigh’s commitment and dedication to the Club. “Kayleigh has been a beacon of unwavering commitment and dedication to the Club,” he says. “Her service in numerous programs and activities over the years is a testament to her dedication, intelligence, humility, and compassion. I am excited to witness her continued success and growth.”
As a senior at Murphy High School, Kayleigh selflessly gives back to her community through volunteering with her church, local non-profits, and school organizations such as the National Honor Society, Student Ambassador, Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and Future Teachers of Alabama (FTA). Aspiring to become a nurse and teacher after graduation, she attributes her growth and development to the support system at the Club. “I am on this journey because of the encouragement and love from the staff,” Kayleigh proudly shares, highlighting the lasting impact of the Club on her life.
“Educated youth are our Future. Education is the road map for an improved society. Young people have the opportunity to change the world around them with a strong support system and problem-solving skills.”
Charlotte H. has been a Club kid for five years and active in Club activities such SMART Girls Program, Torch Club, Keystone Club, and the Ignite Teen Summer Program. She also holds honors as Jr. Youth of the Year. The Mary G. Montgomery freshman is described as someone who is outgoing. She excels in her classes as an honor roll student and very involved in her school activities and community. She a member of the Girls Scouts and loves to read and write.
The once shy student credits the Club her friends, parents and faith for her growth.
“Charlotte was so soft spoken that you had to be close to hear to her speak,” Inger Anderson, Club director says. “Her journey to becoming a leader is definitely off to a good start.”
Charlotte’s learned creativity, time management, how to make good decisions, and inspire others thanks to the support from her family and friends. Their support for her motivates her to be there for them as demonstrated in volunteering and mentoring at the Club as well as participating in various activities in the community and her church. “Thinking outside of the box has taught me that you can inspire and motivate all types of people to action toward a common goal.”
She plans to attend the University of North Alabama and study photography upon graduation from high school in 2026.
“When life is hard my friends and family have my back. I strive to be with everyone I love through all of their ups and downs. I try my best to keep people close. I make sure everyone knows that l can be a shoulder to cry on. My friends and family are there for me so I make sure I’m there for them.”
Fatou B. became a member of the Sonny Callahan Branch in 2014 after relocating from Senegal, where she had not yet learned English, she only spoke Wolof. She attributes her fluency in English to the support of Ms. Kathy, the director upon her arrival, and the dedicated Boys & Girls Club staff who practiced with her.
At the Club, Fatou discovered a passion for sports and quickly learned how to play volleyball, football, and basketball. Her skills in basketball earned her a spot as a starter on the Theodore High School team by her sophomore year. Beyond athletics, Fatou has thrived academically, maintaining a remarkable 4.5 GPA while taking honors and dual enrollment classes. Her achievements are a testament to her dedication, as she anticipates graduating in the top 10 of her senior class this May and will attend the University of South Alabama in the fall.
In addition to her academic and athletic achievements, Fatou plays an active role in her family, supporting her younger siblings who also attend the Sonny Callahan Club. Tiffany Pogue, the Director of Social/Emotional Wellness Programs, has witnessed Fatou’s growth and deeply admires her contributions to the Club and her family. “She is very helpful and involved in the Club, and still is an integral part of her family,” says Tiffany. Fatou expresses fondness for the Club’s director, Melanie Serrano, whom she loves for her fun, energetic spirit and bubbly personality. As Fatou prepares to graduate, she reflects on her time at the Club with gratitude. “The Club is like a family here,” she says. “Getting to know the staff and volunteers so well makes me feel at home when I’m at the Club.” She encourages younger Club members to take advantage of the opportunities the Club offers and not waste any chances to be involved.
BGCSA’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.