Latasia has been a member of the Paulding County Boys & Girls Club for over 8 years, joining when she was only 9 years old. She now refers to the Club fondly as her “second home.” Over the years, she has found that she is most appreciative of this quality as the Club staff and members always “greet with a smile and display a constant willingness to help.” They have pushed Latasia to strive for her best, and as a result, she has become a force for change amongst the youth in her Club.
If you ask her mentors, they’ll tell you that Latasia shines with an exceptional level of intellect, drive, and optimism. She has an appetite for learning and a heart for helping others.
This is apparent with her active participation in several leadership and service programs in and outside of the Club
including the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Partnership for Success, College Bound, Keystone, D.I.M.E.S. (Determined Intelligent Motivated Empowered Self-Worth), and Global Girls.
Latasia shares, “I believe my purpose in life is to help others and make a change, whether it is in a small community, a controversial situation that may cause conflict in society, or the whole nation.”
She speaks with the most enthusiasm when recounting her time spent packing food for underprivileged children in Africa, preparing personal hygiene packages for battered women’s shelters, and planning and hosting events for senior citizens in her community.
Even so, her passion extends beyond service as Latasia has also found joy in dancing and cheering. Using this gift, she worked tirelessly to develop a dance program at her Club. Through this endeavor, many of her fellow Club members became involved and were taught the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.
She is an influential example of the effects one youth can make in his or her own community. She strives with every task to make a difference in the life of others and gives her time freely and selflessly.
Latasia aspires to become a physical therapist in sports medicine to continue on her path to improving the life and wellbeing of others.