2009 BGCB Youth of the Year
Shavoryia McElroy
"To me, the Club is one big life lesson," says Shavoryia McElroy, age 17, who has been a leader and role model at the Blue Hill Club for 11 years.
As an only child, Shavoryia provides a great deal of support to her mother, often cooking, cleaning and shoveling the snow in the winter to help. “One might think they are more like friends or sisters than mother and daughter,” explains Teen Director Erica Fitch. She also spends time with her grandmother, helping her with household chores that she is unable to do on her own.
Shavoryia’s admirable dedication to her family has made her a natural caretaker. Club staff describe her having the experience of a mother rather than a 17 year old.
“Each day there are young children coming into the Teen Center asking Shavoryia for help on their homework, to settle a small dispute, get advice on a problem, or just to say hello to one of their favorite staff members,” Fitch says.
Wise beyond her years, Shavoryia has always known that she wanted to go to college. Yet, like many students today, financing her college dreams is an obstacle. She recently was awarded a scholarship from the Computer Clubhouse, a Club program in which she has been involved for nearly 10 years.
In addition to Computer Clubhouse, Shavoryia works as a Junior Staff member and is Vice President of Keystone Club, a leadership group for teens, through which she developed a mentoring program for fellow pre-teen Club members, helping them prepare for the difficulties of life as a teenager.
She motivates her peers with advice on how to focus on the big picture, such as, “You can never hold down a professional job if you lose your temper every time your boss aggravates you.”
In addition to helping out at the Club, Shavoryia is a leader in the Dorchester community. She has worked with Breath of Life Dorchester (B.O.L.D.) Teens, a youth-led organization working to improve health and safety in Dorchester through civic engagement and partnerships.
Shavoryia plans to attend Northeastern University and to study criminal justice.
In addition to her role as BGCB Youth of the Year, Shavoryia went on to compete at the state level as part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America program.