British Secretary of State Jack Straw, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mieasha Hicks and Michael Goodman. Getting to Know You U.S. and U.K. Youth Explore Each Other’s Cultures Two Boys & Girls Club members had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to London in July through an exchange program between the U.S. Secretary of State and his counterpart in the United Kingdom. National Youth of Year Mieasha Hicks, from Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, Ohio, and Oklahoma State Youth of the Year Michael Goodman, from Tinker Air Force Base Boys & Girls Club, shadowed British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw. A week prior, two British teens, James McClenaghan and Nicky Owen, shadowed U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Each pair spent time with the leaders and explored each other's cultures through the exchange program, now in its fourth year. "Secretary Powell told us about his background, how he had grown up in a really deprived area in the Bronx," says Owen. "He was really down to earth, and really interested in our stories. He let us know that no matter where you are from or who you are, you can get to where you want to be." U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell with British exchange students James McClenaghan and Nicky Owen Secretary Powell is a former BGCA governor and one of the organization’s most prominent supporters. He helped charter the 2,000th Boys & Girls Club in 1998 and at the time challenged BGCA to reach at least 3,000. Secretary Powell and former U.K. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook initiated the exchange program in February 2001. Another highlight for the British teens came when they were treated to a surprise visit with President Bush in the Oval Office. "We just kind of froze," says McClenaghan. "When we went into the Oval Office, the door shut and then disappeared because it's decorated like the rest of the room." Hicks and Goodman were equally well received in London. "I was privileged and overwhelmed to represent BGCA and military teens from America," said Goodman, from one of nearly 400 Clubs on U.S. military bases. "Looking back at the press conferences, discussions and unforgettable sites, I find myself looking closer at pictures to see if the trip to England really happened." Hicks and Goodman toured the famous Prime Minister's quarters, 10 Downing Street, with Secretary Straw. "We were getting our pictures taken, when all of a sudden with no introduction, Prime Minister Tony Blair walked in," said Goodman. "It was unreal." Prior to the youth's travels, Secretary Straw expressed his enthusiasm for the exchange program. "James, Nicky, Mieasha and Michael represent the future of our two countries, and I hope the experience is as fulfilling and interesting for them as I'm sure it will be for myself and Colin," he said. back to top