Teen Tutor Eva Proves Knowledge is Power

“I like pink as the background color,” I said to Miss Kim. It was the summer of 2023, and I was sitting at her desk in the welcome area of my Boys & Girls Club, playing with colors for my tutoring business’s first flyer.

“Try yellow,” she suggested. “That’s a neutral color.” Of course, Miss Kim was right. Yellow gave off the warm, welcoming vibe I dreamed of for my future students.

That summer, my brainchild, Stellar Start Tutoring, came to life. But little did I know this was only the beginning of my journey to inspire a new generation of learners.

The Summer My World Opened Up

Growing up, my world was very small. My whole childhood, I lived in the same house and had the same kids in my classes from pre-K through 12th grade.

It wasn’t until the summer before middle school that my world opened up at the Walton County Boys & Girls Club in Monroe, GA. I wasn’t happy about going, but my parents believed it would be the best place for my brothers and I to expand our social circles and meet new kids.

I was worried about feeling like a lone star in a galaxy full of others. However, my first summer at the Club was anything but lonely.

Through dress-up weeks and talent shows, I quickly made friends while bonding with staff. All the fun I was having at the Club motivated me to be a leader at school, too, becoming a cheerleader and even senior class vice president.

Year after year at the Boys & Girls Club, I learned the power of kindness, how to make friends, and countless life lessons from mentors like Miss Kim.

Thank You, Miss Kim

Miss Kim worked at the Club’s front desk and became like an aunt to me. As a junior staff member, I spent hours assisting her with administrative tasks: printing papers, checking kids in and out, and creating certificates for Camp Member of the Month. Yet, the days never felt long with her by my side.

Miss Kim and I laughed and cried together, exchanged advice, and supported each other through challenges. She saw my potential when I didn’t, inspiring me to create the tutoring flyer that launched my success as a teen entrepreneur.

She remained one of my loudest supporters as I applied for colleges, cheering me on every step towards my acceptance at Spelman College.

Starting My Own Tutoring Business

One thing to know about me: I love to learn. It’s what matters most to me. However, my curiosity extends far beyond the classroom.

To me, learning isn’t about memorizing facts or passing exams. It’s a lifelong journey that shapes how we think, navigate and contribute to the world around us.

During my summers at the Boys & Girls Club, I noticed how many younger kids dreaded the hours spent in our tutoring programs. While I don’t expect everyone to share my enthusiasm for learning, I do believe in the power of education and how it can open doors of opportunity.

I wanted to use my skills to inspire that same spark in other kids. So, after a confidence boost from Miss Kim, I started my own business: Stellar Start Tutoring, offering affordable, hour-long tutoring sessions in my community.

From the moment they walked in, I sought to create an environment where every student could thrive, often by connecting their hobbies to their homework. If a child loved video games, I showed them a website turning multiplication into a gaming adventure!

The kids I tutor can tell that I enjoy what I do, and I love inspiring those a-ha! moments for them. One kid came to me in first grade just starting to read. Some days, he got so frustrated that he didn’t want to even try. But, bit by bit, he and I began stringing together letter sounds, then words, until after six months, he was reading simple sentences. Watching his discouragement bloom into confidence meant everything to me, and each day of tutoring, his personality shined a little brighter.

I expected only a few parents to take me up on the offer, but over the years, I’ve been entrusted with enriching more than 80 kids’ educational journeys.

I believe education is the foundation of a brighter, more inclusive world — one I take pride in shaping by tutoring the next generation of problem-solvers at my Boys & Girls Club.

A Generation That Never Stops Learning

When my name was called for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2025-2026 Southeast Youth of the Year, joy and relief rushed through me. The weeks of essays, speeches and interviews were all worth it, especially to show the kids I tutored back home what’s possible if they keep learning and growing.

I’m now studying biochemistry at Spelman College, pursuing my dream of becoming an oral surgeon. I also started a nonprofit, Stories for Success, going beyond tutoring to gather donated books so every child in my community can go back to school with a full book bag.

My Club taught me many lessons, but above all, I learned to lead with empathy. Across the country, Boys & Girls Clubs are empowering young people to become the most accepting generation yet. One that’s constantly learning and problem-solving for a better tomorrow.

I don’t know what the future holds. But what I do know is that I’ll never stop trying to help others reach for the stars, just as Miss Kim did for me.