Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Monica has been part of the Tok Boys & Girls Club since it opened 7 years ago. Now, at age 15, she continues to be a positive role model to fellow Club members, her peers, and her community. She is a highly motivated student, with a 3.9 GPA at Tok High School. She is also an accomplished athlete who plays volleyball and basketball. Her positive attitude motivates her to inspire others and serve at the Club. “The Club has been more than an important part of my life, it has been a home,” she says.

As Youth of the Year for her state, Monica received more than $10,000 in college funds. She received $5,000 from the University of Alaska College Savings Plan, $4,000 from the Boys & Girls Clubs and $1,500 from the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

In January, Samantha was chosen as Youth of the Year representing the Lapwai Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lewis-Clark Valley. In February, she became the Idaho Youth of the Year and was also selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar. This program had over 13,000 applicants, and less than 8% were chosen! As a recipient of this scholarship, Samantha will receive funding to cover the cost of her undergraduate education at any U.S. accredited college or university. If she pursues science or engineering related fields, her education can be paid up to the masters and doctoral levels! Samantha’s plan is to focus on engineering or architecture, as math and science are her favorite subjects. Jon Evans, CPO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lewis Clark Valley speaks for all of the community when he says, “We are all very proud of her and know that she has a bright future ahead of her!

Gary is a 17-year-old member of the Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club. As a senior at Old Town High School, he achieved high honors and took on a challenging course load that included Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Statistics and AP Chemistry. This summer, he is going into basic training at the Air Force. When Gary was 13, he joined the Maine Civil Air Partrol. He flew an airplane for the first time just one year later!
"He's just a very polite, honest kid -- very helpful," says Karen Estes, human resource director. "You could just tell the staff love him, other kids look up to him and he's just always willing to help with anything… having a Youth of the Year represented out of the Waterville Club certainly makes us feel proud that we're accomplishing what we set out to do, which is giving them educational programs, recreational, social programs that really help to build the brightest kids in the state of Maine."
* Quotes courtesy of http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5039594.html

MONTANA

Lane has been a member of Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation for 12 years. He just completed his senior year of High School where he was a member of S.O.A.R. (Students Owning and Accepting Responsibility). At his school, Lane took on leadership roles such as Class Officer, Indian Club Officer and President of the Student Council. He is also responsible for implementing the “Bullying Hurts” program, Junior Staff Program, Goals for Graduation and is a mentor through the Native American Mentoring Program. Lane plans to attend Rocky Mountain College and study Business Administration.

Lane enjoys outdoor sports such as fishing and hunting. He also likes working with computers and technology. Lane looks forward to working at the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation or for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in the future.

NEW MEXICO

Michelle has been a member of the Pojoaque Pueblo Boys & Girls Club for 2 years. Michelle completed her junior year in High School where she has been inducted into the National Honor Society and is involved in Cheerleading, Volleyball and Track. She is also president of the 4H Club. At her Club she has taken on the roles of Torch Club Advisor, Vice President of the Key Stone Club, Star Dance Coach and Assistant Technology Director.

Michelle plans on attending Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado where she will major in Pre-Veterinarian Medicine. She wishes to become a vet because she has been raised around animals. After achieving her goals of obtaining a higher education, Michelle wants to give back to her community by opening a vet clinic. Michelle believes that education is very important and is her number one priority. Currently, she carries a 3.8 GPA but wishes to graduate within the top 10 of her graduating class and attain a 4.0 or higher.

Emilio, a graduating Senior at New Town High School, was selected to be the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Three Affiliated Tribes. He was selected among three other state finalists to be Youth of the Year for North Dakota and received a $1,000 scholarship to an undergraduate institution of his choice. Emilio, who is a Youth Advocate for the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is grateful for his experiences at the Boys & Girls Club. He says that without his involvement in the Club, he would not have made it to where he is today. “As a member of the Boys & Girls Club, I strongly advise all kids and teens to be involved…because it will benefit you for the rest of your life,” he says. “I speak truthfully because I also come from a background that isn't all that nice, so I strongly advise everyone to come to the Boys & Girls Club. Be a part of it because it will benefit you.”