Boys and Girls Club of Wake County names "Youth of the Year"
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Nearly 5,000 Wake County kids are in some kind of Boys and Girls Club after school program.
They're doing homework, playing sports, and all kinds of extracurricular activities.
On Wednesday, the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County recognized its "Youth of the Year" winners and says they're living proof the Club's formula works.
Ajamu Dillahunt-Holloway is still a senior in high school, but he's already decided his major at N.C. Central University for next year.
"Political Science and a minor in African American studies with a concentration in public policy and global study," Ajamu explained.
Where did these lofty goals come from? Ajamu says the Boys and Girls Club. He's gone to the Washington Elementary Club in Raleigh since he was in first grade.
"I used to go to elementary school up there so after school I could come down to the club and play basketball and do homework," Ajamu said.
Instead of just hanging around the house or running around on his own, Ajamu got involved.
"As I got older I got to help younger kids with soccer programs, I got to meet a lot of celebrities, go to college camps, [and] spend the night in college dorms."
Boys and Girls Clubs around the country help kids develop into confident, competent, well-rounded adults. The Clubs teach kids how to talk to each other and how to handle situations.
On Wednesday, the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County recognized six kids as its "Youths of the Year."
Those kids are Aaliyah McLamb, Ana Barrios, Stephen Kalokoh, Sophie Eisenhardt, Ahlam Azizbi, and Ajamu Dillahunt-Hollowar.
They're the best leaders, they excel in academics, and are among the most active kids in their clubs. And, because of what they've done all these years, their futures are bright.
Ajumu is the Youth of the Year for Wake County. He can go on to compete against others around the state for scholarship money.
For more information about the Boys and Girls Club, click here.
