VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — Jacob Beverly was named the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta 2012 Youth of the Year.
“It means a lot to me,” said Jacob.
Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is Boys and Girls Club premier recognition program for members, promoting service to club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. Local clubs recognize members ages 14 to 18 as Youth of the Month winners and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competitions. State winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and participate in regional competitions.
“We’re just so excited,” said Jacob’s mother, Twanna Beverly. “I keep calling friends and family.”
Jacob is a 17-year-old Valdosta High School senior, He is a goalie for the Wildcats soccer team. After high school, Jacob plans to attend college and study drama, as his life’s ambition is to become an actor. The $1,000 scholarship will help make that dream a reality.
“It’s a once in a lifetime chance,” said Jacob. “Every person my age doesn’t get that chance.”
In order to be eligible to receive this award, Jacob had to write two essays and present one speech to the 2012 Youth of the Year judges: Angela Crance from Wiregrass Technical College, Dr. Bill Cason, Superintendent of Valdosta City Schools and Susan Steel from Steel’s Jewelry.
In Jacob’s first essay, he described what the Boys and Girls club meant to him.
“I’ve been coming here since I was 7,” said Jacob. “I couldn’t give a one-word answer to my experience. I just talked about how fun it was and what I learned.”
In Jacob’s second essay, he had to explain how a post-secondary education could benefit him.
“It’s way easier to get a job after college,” said Jacob. “The salary is way better.”
Jacob then exhibited his creative side by instead of presenting a “typical” speech, he presented an acrostic poem with the words “Boys and Girls Club.” An acrostic poem is one that uses a word or phrase (usually the theme or the underlying subject matter of the poem) written vertically. Each letter of the word/phrase then acts as the beginning letter for a new line of the poem. Whatever is written using each letter must connect to the subject matter.
“I was creative with it,” said Jacob.
In the nearly 11 years that Jacob has been coming to the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta, he has seen the facility’s growth reflected in his growth.
“It’s a better schedule and the buildings look way better,” said Jacob. “It’s a safer environment to be in.”
Without the Boys and Girls Club, Jacob and countless other children in Valdosta would not be afforded the additional educational and character-building opportunities that help shape who they will become.
“I’m just very proud of him,” said Twanna.
Jacob is just one example of the success of the center that can not only be measured in his spectacular ping-pong skills, but also in his ambition to further his education and make a name for himself. Additionally, Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta not only helped instill that ambition in Jacob, but it is helping take that ambition to the next level with the scholarship.
Local News
Related Photos
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta 2012 Youth of the Year Jacob Beverley with his mother Twanna Beverly at the club on Toombs Street.
Discussion
Beverly named 2012 Youth of the Year
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