Boys & Girls Clubs Names this Year’s “Face of Promise”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Announces 2010 Youth of the YearJanuary 24, 2010
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) named Aleshay Teasley 2010 Youth of the Year (YOY) during an awards ceremony held at Georgia Pacific on Jan. 24. Photo: Brent Wilson, Corporate Board Chair, Aleshay Teasley, and William Lampley, President of BGCMA.
Teasley attends the NFL/YET Boys & Girls Club in Fulton County, where she has been a member for more than six years. She is now a senior at The New Schools of George Washington Carver (School of the Arts) and has been accepted to Clarke Atlanta University, where she plans to study finance to become an accountant.
Youth of the Year, a year-round development program, honors Boys & Girls Club members as outstanding citizens and leaders. A panel of staff, community leaders and board members evaluate applicants for leadership qualities and activities through family, community, school and Club involvement. Additional criteria include demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles, essay writing, poise and public speaking.
Teasley is an A student in school and is very active in her Club and community. She participates in various extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading, Keystone leadership club, basketball, and her Zone Busters youth Ministry. She mentors the younger children in her Club and stays committed to helping others through community service projects throughout the year.
“The NFL/YET Boys & Girls Club was a dream come true,” said Teasley. “It provides a great after school program that has loving and caring staff members who help me with everything I need. They help me academically and help me build a positive self image and leadership skills. Without NFL/YET Boys & Girls Club, I don’t know where I would be.”
“The theme this year was The Face of Promise,” said William Lampley, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “Aleshay is our Face of Promise. She represents the wonderful kids we serve and the power the Clubs have in their lives. We are very proud of her accomplishments, and look forward to seeing her continue her positive path in school and in life.”
As Youth of the Year, Teasley was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship. In spring 2010, she will compete for statewide YOY honors.
YOY finalists were Stacy Finley of the W.W. Woolfolk Club, first runner-up and recipient of the $2,500 scholarship; Reona Wynn of the Newnan/Coweta County Club, second runner-up and recipient of the $1,500 scholarship; and David Ramirez of the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club, third runner-up, and recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. Taylor Comer of the James T. Anderson Club was awarded The Ada Lee Correll Community Spirit Award for his outstanding service to his Club and community.
The scholarships were provided generously by The Correll Family Foundation. Thanks to Georgia Pacific for hosting the event, and Fiserv and the UPS Foundation for sponsoring the program and event.
BGCMA's 2010 Youth of the Year Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held November 4, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis. Find out how you can attend, sponsor or donate to this very special program.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF METRO ATLANTA
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 27 Clubs in 11 metro counties in addition to Camp Kiwanis and Youth Art Connection, a gallery and workspace for young artists. A trained and professional staff serves more than 17,000 disadvantaged youth through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship. The cost of providing services to a member for a year is $1000, but in order 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
