BGCGW Salutes our 2015 Graduates

As we come to the end of another school year we celebrate the accomplishments of our Club members and wish them well as they embark on the next phase of their journey.  For some that means heading off to college in the fall. For others it’s a transition from middle school to high school or simply the conclusion of another school year.  We invite you to meet two of our exceptional young people Ebony Amuzie and Bryan Crowe.
 
 
Ebony Amuzie
For many of us, we measure life’s milestones by significant accomplishments. This June, as hundreds of Washington, DC area Boys & Girls Club members graduate from elementary, middle and high school, the graduation experience marks an achievement of success they will carry with them for years to come.
As a 2015 graduate of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, DC Club member, Ebony Amuzie has her sights set on the next exciting chapter in her educational career. This fall, Ebony will attend West Virginia University in Morgantown where she plans to study biology and pre-med. Ebony tells us she’s thrilled to be going to a big campus filled with sports and extracurricular activities.
Some of Ebony’s fondest memories as a teen have been at George M. Ferris Clubhouse #6, where she’s been a member for the past four years. She was actively involved in Keystone Club, a leadership program that focuses on academic success, career preparation and community service. Ebony also participated in MONEY MATTERS, an activity that promotes financial responsibility and independence among Club members. Participants learn how to manage a checking account, create a budget, save and invest their money, start small businesses and pay for college. Her favorite activity was the ultra-popular SMARTGirls program, which provides girls guidance toward healthy attitudes and lifestyles, eating right, staying fit, and maintaing good health.
As an Alloy Achiever, Ebony has participated in a variety of STEAM programming as well as a number of leadership development, conflict resolution and career exposure opportunities to help prepare her for college.   Through the Alloy Achievers program she will continue to receive not only financial support but also programmatic support throughout her college years.
“My high school diploma is the result of a lot of hard work and my experience at Clubhouse #6 has given me the opportunity to grow as a young woman and more importantly make good choices and accept the differences in myself and others.
Thanks to the great BGCGW staff and volunteers, I am ready for West Virginia and confident I can tackle anything that comes my way. I hope one day to volunteer at a Boys & Girls Club so I can give back to an organization that has done so much for me.”
Congratulations Ebony and remember the wise words of Dr. Seuss, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” From all of us at BGCGW, we will miss you. Please come back and visit!
Bryan Crowe

Ask any adult to recall her or his middle school years and chances are you’ll hear memories filled with the challenges of adolescent years. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, we know the transition between elementary school and high school can be tough and research shows, those difficult middle school years can be key to a child’s future.
We recently caught up with middle school graduate Bryan Crowe. Bryan tells us he’s ready for high school and a big reason is the time he spent at BGCGW’s Hylton Branch in Prince William County.
Bryan, age 14, is a recent graduate of Lake Ridge Middle School in Woodbridge and is thrilled to be attending Osborne Park High School next year. For the past three years, Bryan has participated in the Torch Club, a powerful character-building program that stresses community, education, health and fitness. He enjoys the Club’s Power Hour and Passport to Manhood which promotes and teaches leadership and responsibility in Club boys ages 11 to 14.
Despite the demands of social pressures and schoolwork, Bryan shares he’s confident and ready for high school. “I am thankful to the volunteers and staff at Boys & Girls Clubs who taught me the importance of being a smart and engaging young man. I know it’s sometimes hard for kids my age to talk to about what’s happening in their world, but after spending time at the Club, I am now able to connect and communicate with my peers and adults.”
Bryan also shared his career aspirations to work in the film industry and said in the meantime, he’s going to enjoy a summer of riding his bike and watching his favorite movies.
Congratulations Bryan. You make us proud and it’s Club members like you that remind us each day the middle school years are a perfect time to engage youth by building academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
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