Neshay Cobb was six years old when her grandmother signed her and her brother up to become Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club members. Now a high school senior, Cobb will be the first sibling out of her family to go to college. From a young Club member to a junior staff member and now a high school graduate, Cobb’s safe haven throughout the years has been the Club.
“I’ve enjoyed very opportunity the Club has offered me along the way, and I have grown so much from these experiences,” Cobb shared. “I’ve attended MMCBGC since its opening in 2011 and I can’t imagine having spent my time anywhere else.”
What Cobb has enjoyed most is being a part of Keystone with her fellow Club members. Through Keystone Cobb shares she’s improved her communication skills, become comfortable with public speaking and found a passion for giving back.
“One of the life changing experiences for me during Keystone is when we volunteered at Caring Place and Meals on Main. It taught me not to take life for granted,” she shared. “Because of that experience I understand that a person can have food one day and not the next. I really enjoyed helping others and doing my part to support my community.”
Teen Club Director, Brian Alexander, echoes Cobb’s passion for giving back.
“Neshay is a role model student athlete that any teacher or coach would love to have,” he shared. “she has phenomenal grades and always displays great leadership qualities as a Junior Staff for our Club. She loves to give back to the city of Madison and has participated in several community service projects as a Club member.”
Cobb’s favorite program at the Club is Smart Girls.
“Smart Girls taught me about life and how to present yourself as a young lady,” she shared. “Through our field trips to the Tea Room in Madison and mentors, I’ve learned about etiquette that’s opened my eyes to a different experience. These skills have already helped me in my life and I think they will in my future as well.”
Ultimately Cobb says the Club has offered her a safe home, a place to do her homework and projects, as well as grow into the young lady she is today.
“It means a lot to me to have a safe place to go to and I know that I don’t have to worry about anything happening to me at the Club,” she shared. “The Club has helped me grow a lot.”
Recently the MMCBGC provided Cobb a social distancing surprise senior photoshoot to celebrate her accomplishments.
“As the co-chair of the Madison-Morgan County Boys and Girls Club, I was a proud participant in honoring Neshay Cobb in our new “COVID 19” way. Neshay walked down the street when Boys & Girls Club opened and has participated as a student and as a junior counselor throughout the years,” Connie Bryans, Co-Chair for the MMCBGC Board, shared. “We wanted to celebrate her high school graduation and express our support as she goes to college in the fall.”
For Karen Robertson, Senior Executive Club Director, celebrating Cobb was a highlight moment.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Neshay grow into the young woman she is today. She was a great Club member and an even more phenomenal Junior Staff,” she shared. “She will always have the love and support of her Boys & Girls Club as she embarks on her journey! I have no doubt that Neshay is going to continue to do great things and accomplish whatever she puts her heart and mind to do!
As Cobb prepares to graduate and begin her next journey, MMCBGC will be ready to support her as a Club alumnus. Because “once a Club kid always a Club kid” means the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia will always do whatever it takes to ensure our youth succeed in life.
To learn more about Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club or donate to the Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/mmc.