BE GREAT: Graduate!
The 2009 Keystone Conference Was the Biggest Yet

Hosted by teens, for teens, BGCA's 2009 Annual Keystone Conference was filled with big names and big ideas. Held April 2-5 in Atlanta, the conference featured former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, television personality Mario Lopez, singer Ashanti and Judge Glenda Hatchett. Even with these outstanding speakers, no one stood taller than BGCA's Keystone teens, who are leaders in their hometown Clubs.

What is Keystone? The Keystone program was developed for Boys & Girls Club teens ages 14-18 to grow and improve their leadership skills.

Are you a teen? Find out more about becoming a Keystone member!

BE GREAT: Graduate!
Keystone Conference Kicked Off With a Teen Town Hall
Teens from around the country gathered to watch key leaders, educators and teens discuss the frightening high school drop-out rates statistics. Dignitaries included activist Andrew Young, former W.V. Governor Bob Wise, educator Ron Clark, and child advocate Ron Fairchild.   ... more ...

Dream Big: Judge Glenda Hatchett
Keynote for Keystone
Dwarfed by the words BE GREAT, an inspiring message to teens and the new advocacy campaign for BGCA, Atlanta native Judge Glenda Hatchett addressed an audience of more than 1,400 teens and advisors in town for the 42nd National Keystone Conference, with a moving speech about dreaming big and not letting "haters and hurters" get in their way of success.

BGCA President and CEO Roxanne Spillett, sporting a 1996 U.S. Olympics jersey, welcomes Mario Lopez as BGCA's first-ever Alumni Ambassador of Fitness.

Mario Lopez Named BGCA's Alumni Ambassador of Fitness
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's President and CEO Roxanne Spillett named Mario Lopez as BGCA's first ever Alumni Ambassador of Fitness on April 3 during the organization's annual National Keystone Conference for teen leaders. Lopez attended a Club as a youth in Chula Vista, Calif. ...more...

Amazing Ashanti
This year's conference concluded with a stellar performance from R&B superstar Ashanti, who attended Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln House in New York while growing up. Following her mini-concert, Ashanti autographed her own BE card, marking yet another amazing alumnae to join in the BGCA campaign to help kids BE GREAT.

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