Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Names 2007-2008 Youth of the Year
November 9, 2007
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) named Laura Ramirez the 2011-2012 Youth of the Year (YOY) at the signature Youth of the Year Dinner & Awards Ceremony held at the Georgia Aquarium on Nov. 10. Ramirez attends the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club in DeKalb County, where she has been a member for seven years. According to Ramirez, the Club is the place where she found the motivation to “be hungry” for success. She credits the Club and her staff there for helping her overcome tough times, rise through challenges and realize her potential. YOY is a year-round development program that honors Boys & Girls Club members as outstanding citizens and leaders. Each BGCMA Club selects one YOY winner to represent them. Selections are made based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership qualities and engagement in the Club and community. Ramirez is currently a senior at Cross Keys High School and plans to attend Emory University, where she wants to major in medicine and become a nephrologist. · Ramirez is a model student on her way to becoming valedictorian of her graduating class. · She not only maintains a 4.0 GPA, but she is also currently captain of the Cross Keys swim team, tennis team and BETA Club president. · At her Boys & Girls Club, Ramirez is president of the Brookhaven Keystone Club, she’s a Junior Staff member and volunteers her time as a peer tutor in science and math. “I don’t know where I’d be without the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club,” said Ramirez. “The Club is place where I feel safe every time I face a challenge.” Overcoming Challenges· Ramirez says one of the hardest times she endured was when her father had surgeries due to kidney failure and she didn’t know if he would make it day to day. She says her Club helped her through that and taught her that through the hard times, we find passion to become a leader.· As a young Latina woman, Ramirez has faced resistance from her community because of her aspirations in life. Within her culture, women stay home and run the household –not pursue a career. Ramirez adds: “It was the Club where I learned the value of education, college and being a positive role model and leader. Every time I walk through the doors of my Club, I know I will walk out more fulfilled. I am proud to represent thousands of youth across metro Atlanta as Youth of the Year.” “The theme this year was Face of the Future and Laura is a remarkable example of metro Atlanta’s future leaders,” said Missy Dugan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro President & CEO. “Her inspirational story and her passion to succeed touched the hearts of everyone in the room. Throughout her trying times, Laura remains motivated to reach her goals and determined to give back and better her community, Club and peers. I have no doubt she will do great things in her future. Laura is living proof the Great Future Starts at BGCMA.” As Youth of the Year, Ramirez was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship. In spring 2012, she will continue to compete for statewide YOY honors. YOY finalists were Susan Garcia of Lawrenceville Boys & Girls Club, first runner-up and recipient of $2,500 scholarship; Ashley Thomas of Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club, second runner-up and recipient of the $1,500 scholarship and Chante Foster of Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club, third runner-up and recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. The Correll Family Foundation generously provided the Youth of the Year scholarships. Thank you to all of the event sponsors for opening the door to a great future for our youth. A special thank you to the night’s emcees WSB-TV anchors Fred Blankenship and Erin Coleman. ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO ATLANTABoys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to provide a quality developmental program that empowers metro Atlanta youth, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to become productive adults. Through 26 Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serves more than 4,000 disadvantaged youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also has Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp, and the Youth Art Connection (YAC), a gallery and workspace for young artists. To effectively serve those who need us most, BGCMA asks families to pay annual membership dues of only $35 per child and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
