Mireille T

Maine Youth of the Year Winner

“Over the course of my time as a Club member, I participated in a ton of events and programs, and before I knew it leadership became part of my identity.”

For the past seven years, Mireille has been an outstanding member and leader at the Boys & Girls Club. Mireille credits the Club for giving her the confidence she needed to recognize herself as a natural born leader. 

At the Club, she led the Smart Girls Program and helped middle school girls develop essential skills like building good relationships, self-esteem, and wellness. Seeing younger girls look up to her has inspired her to always try and lead by example. At school, Mireille is Varsity Basketball Captain and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. As a female athlete, Mireielle uses the challenges many woman face of being undervalued as an opportunity to be a role model to younger girls. To do this, she encourages others to celebrate their differences and see how their skills can benefit their communities. She thanks the Club for the confidence she needed to become a leader to others. 

COVID19 couldn’t keep Mirielle away from the Club and she has been assisting with the Olympic Field Day and loved seeing the Club come together for an event after being separated for so long. She helped the Club prioritize pandemic practices while still encouraging sportsmanship and fun. Mireille has given as much to the Club as she learned from it and has left a positive impact on everyone she works with. 

Nina L

South Portland Clubhouse

“You don’t always have to find adventure, let adventure find you.” 

Nina first joined the Boys & Girls Club in 2013 and has been an active member as a youth leader for the past eight years. Beginning in the Torch Club, Nina moved up to a Junior Staff member in 2019 and has participates in leadership seminars and community service projects for Jobs for Maine Graduates. 

Being unable to attend the Club in person in 2020 was particularly challenging for Nina as she also began her first year of high school this year. Despite being a virtual supporter for now, she is still proud to say that she demonstrates the characteristics of a Club member, even outside of the Club. Nina has applies the leadership skills she uses in the Club to her community and is active in the Black Lives Matter movement and works to raise awareness about not only racism, but also sexism, ableism, and homophobia. 

Since she transitioned from middle school to high school during the pandemic, she has been working on managing her time, work load, and health. All of this is working towards her ultimate goal of attending the University of Southern Maine and eventually becoming a pediatrician. Nina is thankful to the Club for giving her the bravery to step out of her comfort zone and work to make the positive changes she wants to see in the world. 

Anna L

Riverton Park Clubhouse

“Use your voice to make a change in your community and inspire others through your experiences.”

During Anna’s ten years at the Boys & Girls Club, she has not only participated in the Keystone Torch Club, Junior Staff, the Debate team, and nearly every arts program, but also learned how to become a leader and advocate for those in need. 

Torch Club and Keystone taught Anna to become a leader and have an active voice in the community and give back which has taught her the importance of charity. The friends she has made through the Club are still close to this day and she believes that it was through the Club that they were able to connect and understand one another. 

Having seen firsthand the devastating effects poor mental health can have, Anna aspires to study psychology to not only help those in need but end the stigma too often associated with mental health. She got her first taste for this mission with the Club’s Project Respect. As a mentor, she thrived while working with younger kids. Anna’s determination, selflessness, and creativity will help her go far in the future. 

Deanna T

 Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse

“For every step you take, there is always a change to happen.”

Deanna is celebrating her ten year anniversary as a Club member. During this time, she has not only grown and improved as a young woman, but as has been a dedicated Club member who has volunteered over one-hundred-forty hours in 2020 to make her Club better. Through the Boys & Girls Club, Deanna has honed her passion for cooking and hopes to attend University of Maine, Farmington and study to become a chef. 

Unsurprisingly, Deanna prefers the cooking related programs and has used her culinary skills at the Boys & Girls Club to help plan events and volunteers to help younger members with lunches and snacks. On top of this, Deanna has been a Torch Club member for the past four years and enjoys organizing dances, fundraisers, and bake sales. She loves the Club for be a place to learn and work on being positive. To her, the Club is a second home. She credits the Club with helping her grow not only in the culinary arts, but also physically and mentally. She is excited to use the leadership skills she has learned in the future.