PNBGC Honors Community Supporters

“You are the lifeblood of what we do,” Mike O’Neal, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board President said to over sixty donors and volunteers gathered at Da Corrado Ristorante. The occasion was to celebrate the gifts given in 2018 and the gifts collectively the community can give by staying present in youths lives in 2019.

 “Time, talent and treasures are the gifts donors and volunteers offer to the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club,” he said. “Many of you have offered all three of these elements to our youth and cause. For me, this year my focus is on what’s best for our young people.”

O’Neal shared that he knew each of those gathered shared this sentiment and commitment to youth. 

The luncheon was comprised of businesses, donors, volunteers and staff members of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. It was the largest amount for PNBGC Donor and Volunteer Luncheon, which O’Neal said was a testament to the growth of those involved and seeing the need for changing lives in Greene County. 

Brad Parr, PNBGC Director, shared a few words before awards were given at the celebration luncheon. 

Parr stressed the importance of community backing and thanked those present for being part of an exciting year at PNBGC.

“In 2018 we increased our academic focus and added several new programs to our Club,” he shared. “Our First Tee program grew tremendously, and we were able to offer our youth a golfing experience at Harbor Club, which for many youths was a highlight for them.”

Parr said, “We are looking forward to continuing to bring on board new programming, which engage our youth in unique ways for positive outcomes.”

Past PNBGC Advisory Board President, Jim Liebeck, took over the celebration to present awards.

Those who received awards were:

·     Business Partner of the Year – Harbor Club

·     Volunteer of the Year – Don Loft

·     Board Member of the Year -Millicent Zamirowski

·     Rookie of the Year – Bill Graden

·     Special Honoree of the Year – Kara Latz

Board members who are retiring from the PNBCG board were also honored at the luncheon. Those board members were:

·     Dottie Suggs

·     Paul Connolly

·     Jennifer Lackey 

·     Norm Agran 

Last but not least, Da Corrado Ristorante was honored for stepping in to help continue facilitating Thursday Dinners at the Club where youth get to experience different cuisines. 

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenanceor call 706-920-1400.

BGCNCG Youth of the Year headed to Atlanta

Ricquaria Griggs, the 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Youth of the Year, has been busy preparing for her state competition debut in Atlanta where she’ll compete against Boys & Girls Club members from across Georgia. 

In order to qualify for the state competition, Ricquaria was required to complete three essays, collect three recommendation letters, prepare a 3-minute speech, and complete an extensive packet. On March 4th, she will give her speech and participate in a 12-minute interview for the chance to be named Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia’s Youth of the Year. In addition to her $1,500 of scholarship funding she has already been awarded, she will have the chance to win up to $7,000 of additional scholarship funds if she is named the state winner.

“All of Ricquaria’s hard work is with the intent for her to compete and be named the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year,” Brad Parr, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club director and Youth of the Year Coordinator for BGCNCG. “Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year where they serve as an ambassador for Boys & Girls Club. Ricquaria echoes the characteristics and work ethic that the Youth of the Year program stands for – we are so proud of her.”

In preparation, Griggs has been giving her speech to local organizations in Greene County and amongst her Club peers. She’s also been working with community members on her interview skills.

“Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy,” Parr shared. “In the 21st-century world and workplace, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone - especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Ricquaria is such a bright young woman and we are thrilled to support her in her journey to the state competition.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club or Youth of the Year Ricquaria Griggs, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Teens Engage in Entrepreneurship

Money Matters Course Underway 

Can you remember the first time you saw a budget for your money? How about using a calculator to figure out how much to tip at a restaurant? What about forming a business plan as a teenager?

 That’s exactly what the teens and tweens of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club are doing right now – learning how to build a business. As a part of a financial geared program, Money Matters, is underway at PNBGC to help educate teens on the importance of money management and wise choices. 

 Recently, the teens presented their very own entrepreneurship ideas to their peers.

“A major part of this program is teaching entrepreneurship,” Asia Mitchell, Teen Coordinator & PNBGC Alum member shared. “Our teens are going over the different career paths they could pursue, as for many Club members, owning a business is something they’re very interested in.”

 Mitchell said that this recent project gave “Club members the ability to research a business idea that interests them and develop a business plan. They reviewed their target market, demographic served, how much launching their business would cost and how to obtain a steady flow of income.”

 Businesses the teens created ranged from a smart watch that checks blood sugar levels for diabetes patients and a security system for your smart phone.   

“The Club youth have been learning the value of having a plan in place,” she said. “They’ve worked with balancing budgets and sticking to their overall business plan to become successful owners.”

Christian S, an seventh grader at PNBGC, said his favorite part about this project was “brainstorming ideas to make a resource that can help people with improving their health."

"In the Entrepreneurship Program I learned how to plan, organize and explain things," he shared. “The one thing that stuck out to me was being able to explain my invention to our peers, while being able to hear their thoughts and feedback was such a great feeling.”

Aaron S., an eighth grader at PNBGC, said “I learned I need to improve my organizational skills and that I enjoy thinking of ways to create my own business.”

“We got to get a taste of what it is like to present in front of a big crowd and it mattered to me because everyone should be able to express their ideas publicly, “Aaron shared. “Our Club peers embraced our ideas and that was fun.”

 “Our Club youth have loved this project so much because it’s so hands on and requires them to dig deep for new ideas,” Brad Parr, PNBGC Club Director shared. “It’s one of the many programs we have at our Club that challenges our youth to go outside their comfort zone and see the potential inside of themselves to become something unique in their adult lives.”

The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club teens & tweens will continue their Money Matters courses for the remainder of the school year. 

To learn more about PNBGC, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenanceor call 706-920-1400. 

PNBGC Members Win Big at Science Fair

Celebrating Learning 

For Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club education is a critical component of a youth’s growth into a successful adult. Club members are encouraged to pursue their passions while at the Club and recently for three Pete Nance Club members their efforts paid off with big wins at the Green County School System Science fair. 

 Club member Jamiyah B. was awarded first place for her project on Hydroponics vs. Soil and Club members Tiejah D. and Shayla P. were awarded second place for their project on Sinkless Sand.

These three Club members have advanced to the Regional Science Fair at Northeast Georgia RESA, located in Athens, GA. 

“I’ve been a member of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club since I was five-years-old,” Jamiya shared. “My favorite program here at PNBGC is Smart Girls and Career Launch, which I feel have offered me so many engaging lessons that have helped informed my decisions about everyday situations and looking toward the future.”

 Jamiyah said that this year what’s impacted her most so far has been the Club’s help in encouraging her to be strong, not back down and go after her goals – like winning at the Science Fair. 

 “I’m learning new things every week here, “she said. “And, I get to do this learning with my friends and participate in interesting conversations during our programs.”

 Jamiyah says, “I feel like the members of the Club are so lucky to have a place to be in the afternoon that is safe and fun. I’m so glad my Club is here.”

 Cynthia Sumer, who is the education coordinator for Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, is over joyed for her Club members accomplishments.

 “Watching our youth transform is my favorite part of being a part of this Club, “She shared. “Jamiyah, for example, has gained so much confidence in her ability to make mindful choices. She is maturing into an individual who believes she can make a different now and in the future. And, that’s what we want for our youth – to believe in themselves.”

 To learn more about PNBGC, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.