Eboni Brown Named Boys & Girls Clubs Youth Of The Year
Garden Grove, April 1, 2005 - Eboni Brown, age 17, has always been a star but now it is official! Eboni Brown has been selected as the 2005 Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove. Sponsored by The Reader's Digest Foundation and administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the national program recognizes superior leadership skills, academic achievement, obstacles overcome and outstanding service to Boys & Girls Clubs and the community.
An 11-year member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Brown is a positive role model for today's young people. She has a genuine understanding of leadership, commitment, dedication, and teamwork. Her creativity, enthusiasm, communication skills and her positive attitude enable her to make changes for the betterment of our community.
Brown has volunteered over 300 hours of community service in 2004 alone. Giving back to the community is not a new endeavor for Brown, as a young member she made get-well cards for the children at various hospitals. As she grew older the projects became more complex and her role as a leader began. Brown helped organize events including National Kids Day, Cinderella for Life, Sister City Project, and Strawberry Festival Parade. Her program participation includes Goals for Graduation, National Keystone Club & Conferences, Torch Club, and Awesome Destinations.
"The club has done so much for me and has become so much a part of me that I can not bear not to have them in my life. The kids cheer me up. The staff knows how to make you feel useful. My peers are there when I need them. The club has actually become my family and that means the world to me."
Brown will compete against five other Boys & Girls Club youth for the California state Youth of the Year title in Sacramento this month. Five regional winners selected from among the state winners will compete for the national honor in Washington, D.C., where the National Youth of the Year will be officially installed by the President in a White House ceremony in September. In addition, the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship from The Reader's Digest Foundation, sponsor of the program since its inception in 1947.
Other members recognized for their achievements throughout our clubs include: Clinton Branch members Anthony Gutierrez, Marlyne Cuevas, and William Patron, Doig Intermediate members Monique Gomez and
Omar Hernandez, Edgar Branch members Elizabeth Hoskins and Orin Swick, Fitz Intermediate members Jerry Tajalle and Valerie Juarez, Jordan Intermediate member John Mai, Main Branch members Anh Nguyen and Nathaniel Tapia, Patton Branch members Drew Strieter and Mark Smedley, Skylark Elementary at Clinton Corner members Stephanie Reyes and Salvador Gutierrez, and Stanford Unit members Dhillon Sandhu and Theresa Pham.
For more information about how you can support the Boys & Girls Clubs or for general information, please call (714) 530-0430 or visit our website at www.bgcgg.org.
The Boys & Girls Clubs have played an integral role in the Garden Grove community for nearly 50 years, providing daily programs and services to over 2,500 young people. The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation.
