Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Names 2007-2008 Youth of the Year
November 9, 2007
ATLANTA (Nov. 9, 2007) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) named Sheila Bailey 2007-2008 Youth of the Year (YOY) during an awards ceremony and dinner held at the Hilton Atlanta, on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Bailey, 17, attends the A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club in Gwinnett County, where she has been a Club member for three years. She is heavily involved in her Club and she volunteers in community festivals and fundraisers. She is a six-year Orchestra member and member of several school clubs at Norcross High School.
“My personal goal is to be a person who talks with actions instead of words and leads a positive revolution that fortifies our community,” said Bailey.
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.
“This year’s theme was Making History…Impacting Lives,” said Jerry Tipton, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “That’s exactly what we are doing through programs like Youth of the Year. By providing avenues for our kids to learn, strive for the best and succeed, we hope to positively impact their lives. Sheila and the other phenomenal youth recognized as finalists continue to make wonderful accomplishments, empower others and establish a footprint in the history of our organization and in many other endeavors.”
As Youth of the Year, Bailey was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship. She hopes to attend Spelman College or Emory University and has aspirations to go through medical school at Emory and become a surgeon. She will serve as a youth spokesperson for BGCMA in the coming year. In spring 2008, she will compete for statewide YOY honors.
“This is a program that truly changes the lives of the youth who participate,” said Louis Simmons, 1994 and 1996 BGCMA Youth of the Year and current senior business manager, Peri-Operative and Endoscopic Services, Emory Hospitals. “As a BGCMA alumnus and Youth of the Year, I know the power of encouragement I received from BGCMA staff and the importance of the knowledge and skills learned during the process. The experience, the organization and the mentors helped shape the person I am today, and I hope it does the same for Sheila.”
Youth of the Year runner-ups included Ayanna Wade of the Michael A. Grant Boys & Girls Club as first runner-up and recipient of the $2,500 scholarship, Alexia Wynn of the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club as second runner-up and recipient of the $1,500 scholarship, and Felice Primrose of the Newnan/Coweta Boys & Girls Club as third runner-up, and recipient of the $1,000 scholarship.
Donna Lowry of WXIA-TV and 2006 Youth of the Year Adriana Bowles emceed the gala event, with presenting sponsors Philips Electronics and CheckFree Corporation.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF METRO ATLANTA
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 23 Clubs in 12 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 youth annually by offering specialized programming and a safe haven for at-risk and underprivileged children and teens. Memberships cost only $35 per school year but scholarships are available for those who need assistance. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
