2020 Finalists
Kimberly H., 17
2020-21 Southeast Youth of the Year
Club/Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Length of Membership: 4 years
College: Oglethorpe University
Career Interest: Aerospace Engineering
Defining Characteristics: Resilient, Charismatic
“People often assume that fulfillment comes from big achievements and large sums of money. I believe that happiness can be found anywhere and most often in mundane tasks and in unexpected places.”
Every young person, like Kimberly, deserves a safe, positive environment in which to learn and grow.
Kimberly credits the Club with transforming her into an extroverted, confident leader. Her ability to love herself was at a low before coming to the Club. But from the moment Kimberly entered the Club, she felt overwhelming support and acceptance from staff and youth.
After a staff member encouraged Kimberly to enter a poetry competition, she had two poems published in an anthology of poems and artwork by Club youth. She took advantage of every opportunity the Club offered, including Keystone Club, Money Matters and career exploration programs. Kimberly’s vision for youth is unity. As Youth of the Year, she wants to ensure youth voices are not only heard but unified.
Kimberly is a freshman at Oglethorpe University where she studies aerospace engineering and is a member of the university’s band. Her goal is to work at NASA.
Southeast Region Sponsors:
