When JD joined the Boys & Girls Club in 3rd grade he had never even played basketball. Little did his parents know that when they signed him up, for what they saw as safe affordable childcare, it would set him on a path to becoming Team Captain of his High School team. Opportunity, mentorship, and leadership are three words that could describe JD’s journey as a Club member.
“At first I was really nervous to go to the Club but I quickly made friends and connected with Club staff.”
JD’s been a Club member for nearly a decade. He’s spent a lot of time at the Club. He can tell you all about nearly every opportunity offered. He’s broken pencils during homework time, chomped down plenty of after school snacks, and been reminded of the “no gum” rule like any other Club kid.
Some of his best memories were made on the basketball court. He equates his success there to the support and encouragement of his mentors. “Club staff, like Ish, taught me about teamwork, perseverance, and determination. Having a shared interest made it easy to make friends with the other Club members.” JD reflects on the time that the Club team won a tournament with other Boys & Girls Clubs from around southern California, “The experience was exhilarating. It helped build my self-confidence and self-esteem.” His character on the court that tournament won him the title of MVP. “This experience led me to try out for my local high school team and I became the captain for all four years.”
At 17 years old, JD is a leader amongst his peers. As Vice President of Keystone (an advanced leadership program for teens) he helps run meetings, plans events, and encourages others to persevere. The skills he’s developed in teen leadership are helping him on the court as team captain.
When you ask JD about his future, he’ll tell you about his passion to help others through medicine. He plans on attending nursing school this Fall. He has seen his share of health issues in his own family. His uncle suffered a heart attack and passed away at 35 years old. He lost his grandfather to liver cancer. JD shares, “These experiences have taught me the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and inspired me to help others through nursing.”
“I’ve kept my promise to myself of making healthy choices and helping others by being involved in the Boys and Girls Club. At the Club, staff encourage me and others to make good choices, stay on track to graduate, and teach us skills we wouldn’t learn otherwise.”
“JD is an inspiration. He works hard for his dreams and believes in himself and others. Whatever he does he puts his whole heart into. And the best part is he always has a smile on his face when doing it. The Club staff and I are proud to have him as our 2023 Youth of the Year,” shares CEO Matthew Nelson.
Board President Matt Carpenter piled more praise on the Club’s Youth of the Year, “We are so proud to have JD represent the Club this year as our Youth of the Year. It is very rewarding for me to see how JD has grown and matured into such a confident leader over the past couple of years. JD’s path is really indicative of how influential our Club programs are in shaping youth in our community into tomorrow’s leaders.”
JD was nominated for Youth of the Year by Leaders in Training Teen Director Ish Singh. JD and eight other teens, nominated by Club staff across the valley, interviewed with a panel of Club board members in December. All nine Club teens shared how they’ve overcome adversity, how the Club impacted their life, and what their dreams for the future are. From that group JD was selected to represent Santa Clarita Valley. He is currently preparing for Los Angeles County Youth of the Year. JD, along with 17 teens from other LA County Boys & Girls Club, must submit three personal essays and participate in an interview panel. In April, at an event with the other Boys & Girls Clubs and their Youth of the Year, the LA County Youth of the Year will be announced. A similar process is taking place at the more than 1,200 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.