Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club board members, community members, and Club staff collaborated recently to surprise their Club Seniors with balloons, personalized yard signs, and lots of cheering.
MMCBGC Seniors Sha’mirra LaGuins, Seth Robertson, and Ar’Mond Wright were all three shocked to see familiar faces show up at their homes to celebrate their recent graduation.
“These youth have worked hard for this moment in their lives and we care deeply about acknowledging and celebrating their bright futures ahead,” Brian Alexander, MMCBGC Teen Director, shared. “Being able to see their faces light up as we brought their graduate sign was a highlight for me.”
Each youth shared the Club’s meaning during their socially distance surprise.
Seth Robertson shared that the Club’s programs offered him “a foundation of professionalism and life skills from money management to networking.”
“I’ll always remember Passport to Manhood,” Seth shared. “It taught me a lot about what it means to be man. Mr. Bob Mackey taught us a lot during our passport to Passport to Manhood sessions. I learned how to carry myself as professional at a young age, and I still use those skills to this day. I learned how to tie a tie, about money management and many things about business etiquette. I learned skills I don’t think I would have been able to acquire anywhere else but the Club. The last ten years at MMCBGC have been so good for me.”
Alexander shared that Seth is a born leader within the Morgan County community.
“He loves to mentor young Club members and volunteers his time at the Club,” he shared. “His positive attitude is infectious within our Club environment and with fellow teens.”
Sha’mirra LaGuins, a MMCBGC member for 12 years, shared one of her favorite programs from the Club was Keystone.
“Keystone gave me the opportunity to do Meals on Wheels and give back to those who needed food, as well as spend time with nursing home residents who just needed a friend,” she shared. “These opportunities taught me a lot about gratitude and how important giving toward our community truly is.”
Sha’mirra shared that overall the Club offered her the love and support she thought she was never going to receive in her life. “The Club has supported and loved me from kindergarten all the way to this moment as I prepare to go to college,” she shared “It means the world.”
Alexander shared that Sha’mirra has shown tremendous growth over the years.
“When I first met Sha’Mirria, she was shy person and she didn’t say much. As I watched her grow, she has blossomed into this amazing person that is outgoing and confident. She is a role model student that loves to help others. She has also displayed great confidence and leadership qualities as a YEP Junior staff, she was a phenomenal staff at the Club. The younger members look up to her.”
Ar’mond Wright, a member for 10 years, shared the Club has taught him how to develop and maintain healthy relationships through being named Youth of the Year.
“The Youth of The Year Program is a phenomenal, and it helped me to work on my public speaking. I wasn’t confident about presenting in front of a group, but the training helped me to develop my confidence to a high level,” he shared. “I was able to develop creative thinking skills and what types of relationships to create for my future.”
Wright added the Club has served as a second home for him. “Once you step into the Club it’s like a different world. Your dreams matter here and you’re always learning something new.”
Alexander shared that Wright has the ability to make people feel special.
“Ar’mond is an awesome young man with a bright future ahead of him,” he shared. “He has a big heart and wants to see others around him be successful as well.”
Each MMCBGC Senior will be attending college this year. They were also recently inducted into Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni and Friends program as alumnus of MMCBGC.
“Once a Club Kid, always a Club kid is a promise to our youth that we will always be a home for them,” Alexander shared. “We’re here to ensure their success for life.”
To learn more about Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/mmcor call 706-342-1117.