From the Dorm Room Desk of Xavier
Let me tell you, my first year of college has been a crash course in time management.
I am enjoying the freedom of creating my own schedule. But it’s challenging balancing free time and academic responsibilities. Plus, just over a year ago I was named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Military Youth of the Year — so I’ve been super busy!
Did you know that there are nearly 470 Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers on military installations worldwide serving nearly 222K military-connected youth annually?
I’m proud to share my story as a military-connected kid, growing up just about everywhere as my single mom served in the military.
I’m even prouder to get to represent military-connected youth everywhere and my Boys & Girls Club friends and family from the Fort Campbell Bastogne Teen Center in Kentucky.
(But don’t worry, it’s not all responsibilities over here. I’ve also been returning to my childhood roots of superheroes and comics — “Justice League Unlimited” has been fun to revisit after a long day of class!)
Let’s get back to time management. I’m fitting something very important into my schedule, and I hope you will too. I’m about to pass the baton to the next generation of Military Youth of the Year, the amazing teens coming from military installations across the nation to share their stories.
Teens today need people who believe in them; because my Teen Center believed in me, I’m the person I am today.
Thank you for believing in me and in the potential of all young people.
Xavier B.
Novice Comic Reader, Professional TV Enthusiast, Lover of Old School R&B and — last but not least — ALL-Star reigning Foosball Champ of the Bastogne Teen Center
2023 National Military Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
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