After patiently waiting through middle school to get called up from the wait list, Jean Mary’s introduction to the A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club came as she was starting her freshman year at Norcross High School. Despite her anticipation, it took her two more weeks to overcome her nerves and actually walk through the doors of the Club. But when she did, everything changed.
While the Club provided a great environment, the people in her life have really made the difference. In her early days at the Club, she meets her new best friend, the outgoing Sophia, and the beginning of a beautiful relationship begins. A relationship that started over a “misunderstanding” grew to be one of accountability, encouragement, grace, and love that has pushed both of these young women to live up to the best versions of themselves.
Along with great new friends, Jean Mary was introduced to Mr. Dustin, who leads the music studio at the Club. When he first arrived, the kids were doubtful that Mr. Dustin would live up to the hype, but he quickly gained credibility as a catalyst for so much of the creativity bottled up inside of these young artists.
Jean Mary said he encouraged her to publish her work on social media and develop a brand of her own.
Finally, at the foundation of her support system has been Jean Mary’s mother. She said her mom has guided her to be true to herself and her future through a model of hard work and principle-based living. As Jean Mary has persevered through some tough seasons of life, she has come to really value her mother’s perspective and guidance toward their shared desires for her future.
As Jean Mary starts her junior year and looks to the future, she aspires to put herself in a position to choose the right internship, the right college, the right career to help her be the most “successful” version of herself. Jean Mary is also very conscious of how important the role her relationships play in who she will become on her journey and cherishes her important people. Accordingly, she hopes to put herself in a career, that will allow her to use her gifts to impact others.
Check out the full list of creative programs at our A.Worley Brown Club.