Friday, December 6, 2002

Youth of the Year awarded by Boys and Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (B&GCMA) announced Michael Dawson as their 2002 Youth of the Year (YOY) winner during an awards ceremony and dinner held at the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, on Monday, November 25. Chuck Dowdle of WSB-TV emceed the gala event, sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Philips Consumer Electronics and Taco Bell.

A 10-year member of the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club in Grant Park, Dawson actively participates in many of the character and leadership development programs offered at the Club, including Keystone Club, College Bound, Youth Art Connection and the Club's teen advisory board.

He currently attends Southside Comprehensive High School as a sophomore, where he is involved with the math, science and national beta clubs, chorus, drill team, rifle team and color guard. An active member of the New Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Michael enjoys singing in the youth choir, acting as a junior deacon, contributing to the youth usher board and participating in both bible study and Sunday school classes. Following high school, Michael plans to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with aspirations to become an aerospace engineer.

As Youth of the Year, Dawson was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship and an engraved plaque. He will serve as a spokesperson for B&GCMA for the coming year. In June 2003, he will be one of five Boys & Girls Club members to compete for statewide YOY honors. "To me, the club is a safe haven - a place of caring staff, friendships and endless opportunities," said Dawson during his speech Monday night, "The club is my second home."

"Michael is an incredible young man," said Gail Johnson, executive director of the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club. "In his ten years as a member, Michael has developed skills that will take him far. We are very proud of what he has accomplished and look forward to seeing what he will do in the future."

Youth of the Year runner-ups included O'niah Mitchell of Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club as third runner-up and recipient of the $1,000 John Swain scholarship, Darrell Hall of W.W. Woolfolk Boys & Girls Club in the West End as second runner-up and recipient of the $1,500 Lyons B. Joel scholarship, and Kendra Emeruem of A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club in Norcross as first runner-up, and recipient of the $2,500 Joseph Asher scholarship.

Youth of the Year, a year-round development program, honors Boys & Girls Club members as outstanding citizens and leaders. A panel of staff, community leaders, and board members evaluate applicants for leadership qualities and activities through family, community, school and club involvement. Additional criteria include demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles, spiritual values, essay writing, poise and public speaking.
The Youth of the Year recognition program begins at the club level. Each of the metro Atlanta clubs select Youths of the Month based on defined criteria. The top three Youth of the Month winners at each club compete to be that club's Youth of the Year. The top candidate becomes a nominee for the metro organization's Youth of the Year award.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 21 year-round Clubs in 11 metro counties in addition to Camp Kiwanis and Youth Art Connection, a gallery and workspace for young artists. A trained and professional staff serves more than 26,000 youth annually by offering specialized programming and a safe haven for at-risk and underprivileged children and teens.

Memberships cost only $15 per school year but scholarships are available for those who need assistance. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.