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	YOUTH OF THE YEAR BIOGRAPHY
	2008
	Briana, 2008 Activities and Accomplishments: Brianna has been an active member of the Portland Clubhouse for 10 years. Over the years, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the Club by participating in a wide variety of programs and activities. She has a passion and enthusiasm for service which is evident through the various ways she helps out around the Club, such as: assisting members with their homework during Power Hour, helping out at the busy front desk, serving snack, leading tours of the Club, and planning various Club events and activities. She is a dedicated, hardworking student and a strong leader among her peers. “What the Club Means to Me” or “Why a Post High School Education Is Important.” “I realized my true passion by being a positive role model at the Boys & Girls Club. I want to become an educator. I have a lot to give and can be a positive role model that kids need in their lives. I believe with a college degree, I will be more likely to be hired for the jobs I like and want to do. I believe people should live their dreams, even if you have to study for hours nightly, in the end, it will pay off.” back to home page
	Megan, 2008 Activities and Accomplishments: Megan has been an active member of the South Portland Clubhouse for 7 years. She has participated in many programs including Torch Club, Keystone Club, Smart Girls, Cooking Club, National Fine Arts Exhibit, National Photography Exhibit, and Creative Ladies. She is a caring person who enjoys helping others, which is evident in the various ways she lends a hand around the Club, such as: preparing food for the daily snack program, supporting staff at the busy front desk, cleaning up around the Club after a busy day, or assisting other members with their art projects. Megan’s positive attitude, leadership and determination make her a strong role model for other Club members. “What the Club Means to Me” "What it [the Club] really means to me is having the support of all the staff, knowing I can always go down and feel loved by everyone I know. I feel very safe, and I know that any one of the staff would protect me and any one of the kids. "Many people often ask me why I go to the Club after school everyday, my answer is I love it here and love helping anyone who needs it.” back to home page

	Natascha, 2008 Activities and Accomplishments: Natascha has been a member of the Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse for the past four years. In that short time, she has made quite an impact on the Club and has become one of its best ambassadors to the community. She has been instrumental in many community events, including Day for Kids and the Club’s holiday party. Additionally, she is always willing to help younger Club members with their homework and is one of the most dedicated teen tutors during Power Hour. She has demonstrated strength and leadership in the face of personal adversity, and has become a mentor and role model for many of her fellow club members. “What the Club Means to Me” or “Why a Post High School Education Is Important." “College is important so that I can achieve my goals and dreams of making it in life. I know that it will take a lot of determination, dedication and hard work to get through college. I realize that I need to get a college degree to become a nurse. I am willing to devote my time and work to achieve and fulfill what I am reaching for. “
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	2007
	Brianna, 2007 Activities and Accomplishments: Brianna has been a very active Club member for nine years. She serves as Keystone Club president and is an active participant in the Club’s Power Hour, often helping other members with their schoolwork. Brianna is a dedicated student and devotes enormous efforts to school projects, working very hard to earn the best possible grades. If Brianna is at the Club, chances are she is hard at work assisting the staff by helping with snack times, filling in for the membership director at the Club’s very busy front desk, or providing tours to new members or donors. “What the Club Means to Me” “I find the Boys and Girls Club is a place full of many positive influences where I can go and be safe and have fun at the same time. . . It provides a place for me to stay off the streets, work, make new friends, and relax.” back to home page
	Samantha, 2007 Activities and Accomplishments: A Club member for 10 years, Sam has participated in Fine Art Exhibit, Sip 'n Sew, Creative Ladies, Smart Girls, Torch Club, Job Smarts, and Star Student. She joined the Cadet Cheering Squad and cheered for the Club through middle school. This year, she made the varsity cheering squad at South Portland High School, but continues as a volunteer with the Club’s cheerleading program. Sam is involved in many community service projects, including volunteer work at the South Portland Nursing Home and Seventy-Five State, an assisted living center in Portland. She frequently volunteers at the Club and Club-related events. “What the Club Means to Me” “The Club picked me up, dusted me off, gave me some instruction and most important told me how valuable I was and that I could do anything that I set my mind to. The Club has always been a safe place for me. I could go anytime and not be harassed or had to deal with peer pressure. There is always someone there to lend an ear to listen when you need to release your frustrations and to help out with what ever you need. I can happily say the Club has had a role in each avenue of my life.” back to home page
	Natascha, 2007 Activities and Accomplishments: While Natascha has only been a member of the Auburn/Lewiston Club for three years, she has made a huge impression. She mentors younger members and motivates them to do their part to help make the Club a welcoming place to all. Natascha reads to Club members who do are not able to read and helps younger members with homework. She assists with the snack program, helping to prepare the food and serve Club members. Natascha is also one of the most influential Club members in the annual “Clean outside the Club”. “What the Club Means to Me” “The Boys and Girls Club of Auburn/ Lewiston means a lot to me. It is a safe place to go and you won’t feel threatened. The people that work here are really nice . . . They have a positive influence on me about things you should do and things that you shouldn’t do. . . The Club keeps me out of trouble. . . When I have a stressful day I usually can come to the club and feel relieved by the people here.” back to home page
	2006
	Omar, 2006 Activities and Accomplishments: Omar has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs for the past seven years. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the International Club at his school. At the Club, he participated in many activities, and has received recognition as the ping-pong champion and as a participant in the computer program. Omar was recognized as Peer Leader in an after school program in his community. Omar's leadership of younger Club members earned him a job at the Riverton Extension Club, where he has done an excellent job connecting with the kids. “What the Club Means to Me” "The Club seemed like a second home to me. When my mother was at work I would come to the Club for an afternoon shelter... If it wasn't for the Club, I wouldn't have been where I am right now."
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	Katrina, 2006 Activities and Accomplishments: The Club has not only been her second home for the past six years, but a place to go where she can feel appreciated, respected, and cared for. She has participated in numerous programs such as Torch Club, Smart Girls, and Keystone where she helped raise money for the Tsunami relief fund, raised money for the ALS organization, and participated in numerous other fundraisers. Katrina helps out around the Club by answering the phone, mentoring younger members, and supervising tournaments. “What the Club Means to Me” "The Boys and Girls Club means a lot to me. It is my home away from home. The Club has helped me by teaching me things a girl needs to know in Smart Girls, to learning to work with a team in Torch Club, to becoming a leader and a good person in Keystone. The Club is everything to me and I am happy to be a member. All of my life I have dreamed of going to college and making something of myself. Everything that I have ever wanted- or wanted to be since I was younger needed a college education."
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	Shawna, 2006 Activities and Accomplishments: Shawna first came to the Boys & Girls Club of Auburn/Lewiston at the age of 9. At the Club, she has been involved in several community service projects, including raising funds to help the children of the Tsunami disaster. Shawna held the role of President of the Torch Club. One of the highlights of the service this group offered to the Club was to institute healthy snacks. It was at this point that Shawna led the group in research and follow through menus to serve these healthy snacks in an effort to start change in our Club. “What the Club Means to Me” "I find that this Club means more than words can describe....I think of the friends that I have made, the staff that is like family to me, and how these things make it like my second home."
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	2005
	Hajira, 2005 Activities and Accomplishments: Hajira, one of 17 members of a large family, came to live in the US from Somalia ten years ago, and has a significant amount of responsibility as a sister and daughter. Hajira has taken a lead role as a volunteer at a local social service agency by helping peers develop positive life skills. Hajira is true to her culture and her religion and has faced often daunting peer pressure, which she has resisted. Hajira is also employed at the Club. "What the Club Means to Me" “The Boy & Girls Club was like a home to me; I developed new skills, learned many things and just had fun when I needed it…all these things could and will help me in the future when I step into the real world.” back to home page
	Kayleigh, 2005 Activities and Accomplishments: Kayleigh, a member of her Club for ten years, is a very dedicated member of Keystone, 4-H and her school. Kayleigh is particularly empathetic toward those who have had a serious illness, and she has worked to raise funds for the local hospital and the illness-related causes. As a result of Kayleigh’s work with younger Club members, she has decided to pursue a career in teaching. "What the Club Means to Me" "The staff and members at the Club have always made me feel welcome with their generosity and openness…they always want the best for their Club members. Their support always makes someone’s bad day go into a good day.” back to home page
	Mark, 2005 Activities and Accomplishments: Mark has been a member of the Club for seven years. During that time, he has become increasingly involved in his community through the American Cancer Society, a local soup kitchen. At the Club, Mark is the president of the newly formed Teen Council, and plays an active role in supervising activities for younger members. Mark has had to work very hard to overcome obstacles as he continues toward his life goals, which include a college education. "What the Club Means to Me" ”The Boys & Girls Club means everything to me…because of the caring staff members, because of the love that I feel surrounding me, because of the friendships that are long lasting...” back to home page
	2004
	Brittany, 2004 Activities and Accomplishments: Brittany has overcome great difficulty in her life to become a successful young person with vision and determination for her future. Although she moved many times in her life, her perseverance has allowed her to maintain excellent grades, and seek stable and healthy friendships. As a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland for ten years, Brittany has been president of Torch Club, secretary of Keystone Club, and participated in various programs including Swimming, Photography, Teen Nights, and Beach Clean-Up. An honor roll student at Portland High School, Brittany has been involved in many curricular and extracurricular activities including: the National Young Leadership Conference; Civil Rights Team at Portland High School; Junior Classical League (Latin Club); and the local Big Brothers Big Sisters. "What the Club Means to Me" “The Clubs’ faith in me has given me the motivation to set high standards for myself, and the ambition to achieve the goals I set. They’ve helped me to accept my failures as learning experiences. They let me be me.” back to home page
	Kayleigh, 2004 Activities and Accomplishments: Kayleigh has been a member of the South Portland Boys & Girls Club since she was eight years old. In that time, she has participated in a number of programs, but Kayleigh’s overall attribute to the Club is her positive outlook on life. When she walks through the door everyday, you know she is going to do whatever you ask of her. She has been a member of Torch Club, Smart Girls, Keystone Club, and Chorus to name a few programs. Kayleigh helps other Club members realize their full potential as she participates in our Performing Arts Program. "What the Club Means to Me" At the Club, I feel I have a place that is safe for me to go. Whenever I feel bad I know I can talk to any of the faculty and they would give me great advice. I am very appreciative for that. The Club is like my second home because I am here all the time and because I have a close connection with the staff. This Club has given me a special place in my heart that will never be replaced. I have met many new people and with all of this I have many memories that will last for a lifetime.
	Andrew, 2004 Activities and Accomplishments: Andrew has made a remarkable transformation in his life, all in the face of difficulty in school, facing family crises, death of a sibling, and uncertainty of his future. With the help of Club staff, Andrew developed the skills necessary to begin to overcome problems and choose a path of success. As a member of the Auburn/Lewiston Boys & Girls Club for 5 years, Andrew was part of an initiative to reach out to the Somali community by taking on the role of basketball coach at the Club. Andrew has also been involved as a member of the Torch and Keystone Clubs, and most significantly, helped launch sports tournaments for younger Club members where there was a gap in staff coverage. "What the Club Means to Me" “…this was an opportunity to be a part of something great. Here we would come to realize how important teamwork was as well as how important we were as individuals… I look back at my life and realize that I have gone through a lot of bumps, I have tripped and fallen as well. However, the Boys & Girls Club has been the one thing that gave me the incentive to stand up, brush myself off, and continue.” back to home page
	2003
	Vera, 2003 Activities and Accomplishments: Vera has been a member of the Portland Boys & Girls Club for four years. In recognition of her contribution as a leader and role model to the younger members, she was selected Member of the Year in 2002. At the Club, Vera keeps busy primarily with swimming, art activities, and Keystone Club. She is a talented artist, having had three pieces achieve the national level in the Fine Arts Exhibit. Her strong faith guides her in making everyday decisions and setting personal goals. She plans to study photography in college. "What the Club Means to Me" “The Club has a special place in my heart. Whenever I was having a hard time, or just needed to talk, I knew I could turn to the staff at the Club… I won’t forget that it was because of the Boys & Girls Club that I have made it this far.” back to home page
	Josh, 2003 Activities and Accomplishments: A member of the South Portland Club for 11 years, Josh is a well-rounded and active young man. Although heavily committed outside the Club these days, he answers the call whenever asked to represent the Club at a function. He is an excellent student, member of the varsity football and lacrosse teams, and accomplished trumpet player. He is also an EMT-B and volunteers on his town’s Student Rescue Team. Josh plans to become a doctor. "What the Club Means to Me" “The best thing one can do for themselves is to do the best they can in whatever they do; to never sell themselves short. The Club has taught me that along with a plethora of other life skills and lessons.” back to home page
	Aimee, 2003 Activities and Accomplishments: Joining seven years ago as a charter member, Aimee continues to be active at the Auburn/ Lewiston Club, particularly in arts and crafts, field trips and special events. She is one of the original members of the Torch Club and now greets members at the front desk. She is a solid student and helps younger members in the Learning Center. Aimee has been highly involved in community service activities, including working in a local nursing home and assisting at fundraising events. "What the Club Means to Me" ”The Club cheers me up everyday. I still look forward to going there. I always feel welcome and wanted. The Club builds up a lot of my social skills and gives me a good chance to succeed.” back to home page


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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland
and Auburn/Lewiston