Club Members Graduate High School & College Bound Program

Graduates headed to college this fall

May 21, 2010

By: Anna Cajiga, Club Blue member 

“... I did not know a lot about college and honestly I was not planning on attending after I graduated,” Quinn Wood once said. But thanks to hard work and her involvement in College Bound, a college preparation program that serves over 700 high school students at Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Metro Atlanta, Quinn will become a first generation college student when she begins her studies at Xavier University this fall.

On May 18, an awards ceremony was held in honor of 125 high school students who, like Quinn, will be graduating this spring. These individuals made up the largest class of students to graduate from College Bound. What is even more impressive is the fact that every single one of these high school graduates will be attending college this fall.

College Bound works to reverse negative statistics related to higher education by supporting high school students through the college preparation process. Mentors help students by taking them on college tours, offering test preparation courses, holding financial aid workshops, and hosting career fairs. Participants in College Bound also receive one-on-one advising as they consider their many academic options. Through this program, students learn to advocate for themselves and connect to resources that can help them meet their personal and professional goals.

During his opening remarks at the awards ceremony, Mr. William Lampley, President of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, encouraged College Bound graduates to imagine the infinite possibilities that their lives hold. “This is not the end,” he told students, “This is just the beginning.” Through donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Club Blue is playing an important role in supporting the bright futures of the young men and women who participate in College Bound.

Find out how you can support our education intiatives, like College Bound - Contact Melinda Kelleher at mkelleher@bgcma.org

Photo: Darryl Smith, Executive Director of the Newan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club and Reona Wynn, Club member and high school graduate who earned more than $16,000 in merit-based scholarships. Wynn plans to attend Columbus State University.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS 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 3,000 disadvantaged youth daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship. 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.