FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2008
Contact: Kalen R. Landow
303-892-9200, ext. 127
kalenl@bgcmd.org
With blue-streaked hair and a contagious smile, 18-year-old Shonnetta Henry looks like your average Denver teenager. Instead, this young woman—a strong leader, student, volunteer, writer, and self-described “lighthouse” for her three younger siblings—is the ultimate example of what Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s Youth of the Year award is all about.
On February 5, 2008, Henry, was selected for BGCMD’s highest honor—Senior Youth of the Year—a competition open to Club members ages 14-18. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and local Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles.
Henry is a senior at Denver’s East High School and active in the Black Student Alliance, the varsity speech team, the East Theatre Company, and more, while maintaining an academic schedule that includes five Advanced Placement courses and two accelerated courses. Additionally, she is a poet, dancer, and caretaker for her younger sister and two brothers.
At the George M. Wilfley Boys & Girls Club in northwest Denver, Henry is a junior staff member, the president of the Keystone Club (a leadership group for teen members), a teacher for the Words Can Heal program (teaching members the power of language), and a participant in the Ink About It poetry writing and performance group. She also enjoys helping younger members with their homework. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Swanee Hunt Individual Leadership Award for her service to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
Tonja Mitchell, Character and Leadership Development Coordinator for BGCMD, stated, “Shonnetta is very deserving of this award. She is a great role model to the younger members at the Club and her peers. Her optimism in life and her passion for helping others is admirable.”
Filed under: Community Assistance, Connecting Neighbors, Education, Get Involved
