The purpose of the event was to provide teens with safe, supervised activity and to encourage them to practice abstinence. Approximately 200 youth participated in the event, which was held in the BGC’s Elvera Mays Teen Center on Saturday, May 19. When teens arrived at the party, they were given a ‘glow’ necklace and were quizzed on things like abstinence and STD’s. If they answered their questions correctly, they were granted free admission to the event. A dance contest was also held, and all teens who participated in the Club program “Money Matters” were recognized. “Money Matters” is a program designed specifically for teens ages 13-18. It teaches money management skills and helps youth learn how to become financially independent.

Kathy’s daughter Page, also a senior at SHS, presented LeGree with the scholarship during SHS’s Junior/Senior Honor’s Night, which was held in Georgia Southern University’s (GSU) Russell Union ballroom. LeGree, who will soon graduate, plans to attend GSU and major in computer information systems. He has been a member of the BGC for the past three years, where he was a member of the Keystone Club, helped run the snack room and read books to younger members.

At SHS, LeGree was very active in sports and played on the varsity basketball team all four years of his high school career. He is also listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

This $1,000 scholarship is named in honor of the late Kathy Brunson and is awarded every year to a SHS senior who is also an active member of the BGC. To be eligible for the scholarship, the recipient must be planning to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year post-secondary institution, demonstrate financial need, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and remain in good standing with the academic and disciplinary requirements of SHS.

The scholarship applicants are reviewed by a selection committee that consists of members appointed by the donor’s family and representatives from the BGC.

Over 100 Club members and their families attended the banquet, which was held in the gymnasium of the Club’s Denmark Unit. The evening began with a welcome from Club member Adrianna Grant, and Club member Terrell Childs read a passage of scripture that focused on the value of mothers.

Afterwards, Reverend Julius Abraham gave the invocation, and dinner was served by staff members from the Boys & Girls Club’s Denmark Unit. After dinner, poems and readings about mothers were recited by various Club members. The guest speaker for the evening was Pastor Mattie Brinson, who spoke on the role mothers have in guiding their children. After Brinson’s speech, entertainment was provided by the Brewton Brothers. The evening concluded with recognition of all mothers, Board Members, Fan Parents and Boys & Girls Club staff members.

This was a scenario recently posed to Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) members by Georgia Southern University (GSU) professor Dr. Diana Sturges. Dr. Sturges, an assistant professor in GSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences, visited the BGC’s Portal Unit on Tuesday, May 8, to talk to members about smoking. Dr. Sturges began her presentation by detailing the different types of tobacco that are available to consumers, including chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and snuff. She passed around a cigarette for members to look at and explained to them the purpose of the filter on the end of a cigarette.

“These filters stop some chemicals from the cigarette from entering your body, but not all of them,” she said.

She then talked to members about all the negative effects that can result from inhaling these chemicals into your body, like lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and gum disease.

Dr. Sturges concluded her presentation by reading various scenarios to members and then asking them what they would do it faced with that particular scenario.

“Suppose you are on your school’s basketball team, and the captain of the team offers you some chewing tobacco and tells you it will help you play better. What do you do?” she said.

“Say no, and walk away,” said Club member Katie Stone.

Approximately 35 members in kindergarten through 5th grades participated in the party, which was held inside one of the Outreach Center’s classrooms. A variety of refreshments was served, including chips, punch and a large cake with “Great Job” written across the front.

After everyone finished eating, members of the Service League presented Club members with certificates that recognized them for their academic accomplishments.