Press Release

 For Immediate Release

Contact: Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, Director of Development

Business: 574.259.5666 x 306

Mobile: 574.876.1068

E-Mail: jfitzgerald@fccin.org

Press Conference:

When:    Wednesday, March 16, 2011

                4:00pm

Who:      Youth of the Year Candidates and Great Big Kid Mentors

Where:   Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County

                O. C. Carmichael, Jr. Youth Center

                502 West Sample Street

                South Bend, IN 46601

Who’s the Greatest Big Kid in Town?

Boys & Girls Club team with adult mentors through Youth of the Year process

April 15, 2011, South Bend  – The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. 

Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaffirms this mission by celebrating exemplary youth in Clubs across the nation with the Youth of the Year program.  The Youth of the Year journey begins locally when youth, nominated by Club staff and peers, accept the challenge to rise above their circumstances and make positive changes in their lives, Club, and community.

This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County are pairing these exceptional youth with adult mentors or GREAT BIG KIDS who will share in the Youth of the Year journey.  Created as a way to foster positive relationships between adults and young people and create advocates for the Club, GREAT BIG KIDS is an opportunity we are truly excited about. 

This new initiative will allow our community’s GREAT BIG KIDS to support the Boys & Girls Club in two ways: as a mentor to a youth member and as an advocate for the Club.  Youth of The Year will be awarded by a panel of judges based on candidates promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.  The Greatest Big Kid in Town award will go to the mentor who raises the most money in support of Club programming.  Both will be awarded in an event on April 15, 2011.  The Youth of the Year Candidate will go on to represent their Club at a regional competition, and then National.

Great Big Kid candidates are fundraising using personal webpages and other social media applications such as twitter and Facebook.  Their pages can be found at GreatBigKid.org.

Great Big Kid candidates:

·         Shawn Henderson, Washington High School: Shawn is the Coordinator of Student Services at Washington High School and the South Bend School Corporation awarded him Teacher of the Year in 2008.  He brings a warm and compassionate heart to his ministry at Heroes Camp, which focuses on fathering and mentoring young men. His kind and loving spirit wins the trust and confidence of many hurting kids. After graduating Riley High School, Shawn attended Maryville College in Tennessee where he played ball his entire college career and led his team to an All Conference Championship. Graduating with a B.A. in Psychology and later completing his Masters in Early Childhood Education from I.U.S.B. Shawn is a devoted teacher.  His devotion to helping build strong young men for our community will be an asset to his Youth of the Year candidate.

o    Shawn is mentoring Darius Cristler an 8th grader at Edison Intermediate Center.  Darius has been a Boys & Girls Club member for four years.  He enjoys the opportunity to play basketball and hang out with friends while at the Club.  Darius “loves the good sportsmanship and positive attitudes of (his) fellow Club members.”  He credits the Club for not only providing a place to get homework help and meet new friends but also a place where he can mature into a young man.

·         Craig Horvath, University of Notre Dame:  Formerly a major Gifts Officer at Holy Cross College, Craig recently took on a new challenge at the University of Notre Dame Reunion office.  In his spare time, he coaches in the Junior Irish Travel Soccer program, is a board member of the Downtown South Bend Rotary Club, is an active member of C.A.S.E. (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), is a board member of A.F.P. (Association of Fundraising Professionals), is on the Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka class of 36, is a Dream Team mentor for the SBCSC (South Bend Community School Corporation), is on the Crime Stoppers ad-hoc Committee and is a member of the Notre Dame St. Joseph Valley Alumni Club.  In short, Craig has made a commitment to teaching our youth.  With a zest for life and education, Craig is sure to be a wonderful mentor.

o    Craig is mentoring Jeanette Rogers, a student at Adams High School. Jeanette’s dream is to become a veterinarian, own a home, get married and have a family. The junior at Adams High School has been an active Club member for three years. She enjoys the variety of activities the Club offers: volleyball, basketball, field trips. However, she also appreciates the opportunity to have help on homework, receive advice from Club staff and hang out with her peers in a safe environment. Jeanette’s charismatic personality is always shining through.

·         Aaron Perri, Legends of Notre Dame: Amongst Aaron’s many talents; his commitment to service of his community shines above all.  As a volunteer for Center for the Homeless and On The River Fest (which he co-founded) and Boys & Girls Clubs, Aaron knows that making a strong community begins with making strong kids.  His passion for community and family will be a great asset to the child he mentors.

o    Aaron is mentoring Brei Hayes, a student at Jefferson Intermediate Center.  Aubrei “Brei” Hayes has been a Club member for eight years! Just like her Great Big Kid mentor, Brei sees the importance of a strong community. Brei is involved in numerous activities both at school and at the Club. At school Brei volunteers her time to tutor younger students. At the Club she is involved in ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Club, choir, volunteer work, and gardening club. Brei says, “The Club offers us advice and keeps me out of trouble”.  Brei’s future goal is to go to college to become a doctor and someday deliver babies Memorial Hospital.

·         Rick Rice, Teachers Credit Union:  Soon to be retiring as President and CEO of Teachers Credit Union, Rick knows all about hard work.  Under his leadership, TCU became the largest credit union in Indiana and the 51st largest in the nation.  Setting goals and achieving them is one of Rick’s greatest skills, and something he can pass on to members of the Club.

o    Rick is mentoring Curtis Anderson, a student at Dickinson Intermediate Fine Arts Academy.  A precocious young man, Curtis has been an engaging partner to Rick Rice. Curtis enjoys math, science and social studies. He’s a longtime member of the Boys & Girls Club; over seven years! While at the Club he likes to finish his homework, participate in choir, and just hang out with friends. When asked why he likes coming to the Club Curtis remarks “It’s a positive place and I like it here”. His future goals include attending college and becoming a lawyer.

·         Manette Tepe, Holladay Properties:  Manette is a dynamic powerhouse.  Serving on several community boards, her job as Senior Vice President for Development creates the infrastructure upon which our community builds its wealth.  Manette’s poise and commitment to family will easily be shared with her Youth of the Year candidate.

o    Manette is mentoring Chloe Teall, a student at Kennedy Primary Academy. Chloe is the youngest of all the Youth of the Year candidates but don’t let her age deceive you, this spunky 4th grader at Kennedy Primary Academy is an active and determined young lady. Chloe has already decided that she wants to go to the University of Notre Dame and then continue on to University of Arkansas for a degree in Marine Biology. While Chloe has many goals for the future, she enjoys her time as a kid at the Club. A member since kindergarten, Chloe likes coming to the Club because, “It’s a fun place where I feel safe and have lots of friends”.

·         Perry Watson, III, Lexus of Mishawaka:  As owner of a local dealership, Perry knows the value of a dollar. He believes in giving our youth financial education now so they can be responsible adults later.  He is a strong advocate for educating and mentoring young people. He has served as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of America, Jack and Jill America and the Urban League of South Bend and St. Joseph County, for which he wrote and taught a youth workshop.  His Youth of the Year Candidate will benefit from Perry’s strong moral character and commitment to youth in our community.

o    Perry is mentoring Marquis Taylor, a student at Clay High School. While Marquis may seem like the strong, silent type he is a young man with a big heart and big goals. Marquis is a freshman at Clay High School and has been a Club member for one year. However, in a short time Marquis has jumped in to become a very active member. He’s involved with the volleyball and basketball teams, a mentor to 8th graders and a volunteer in the concession stand for Club fundraisers. Marquis calls the Club “his other family.” With Perry Watson III as his mentor Marquis has enjoyed exploring his role as a leader at the Club and his future as a young man.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the April 15 event at 6:00 pm at Gillespie Conference Center.  Please contact Ashley Farrell at (574) 259-5666 or afarrell@fccin.org for information.

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For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs, an affiliate of Family & Children’s Center or to schedule an interview with a Youth of the Year or a Great Big Kid candidate, contact Jory Fitzgerald Kelly at (574) 259-5666, ext. 306, or via email at jfitzgerald@fccin.org.

Some Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County programs are funded, in part, by United Way of St. Joseph County.