MEET 2017 YOUTH OF THE YEAR, NA’KIA!
Na’kia Hughes , the 2017 Youth of the Year for Boys
& Girls Club of Kenosha, has been a member of
the club since age 11. Na’kia made the decision to
become a member when she was in the fifth grade.
She understood, at a young age, that the club was a
safer environment where she could truly be herself
without judgement. She learned that through her
membership she not only gained mentors and new
friends, but a family; the club has been her safe
space.
Some of Na’kia’s interests at the club are the
Keystone Club and mentoring through Smart
Girls and SMART Moves programs. She found it
fairly easy to blend in with her peers and create
positive, lasting relationships with staff at the club.
Na’kia has particpated in many music, performing
arts, career development and community service
programs since her enrollment at the Boys &
Girls Club of Kenosha. She had the opportunity
to work last summer through our Summer Youth
Employment Program and spent her time with the
Kenosha Literacy Council as an Administrative
Assistant and tutor.
Chicago in March of 2017 to network and learn best
practices from teens from around the county to
bring back to her peers in Kenosha.
Na’kia’s vision is for America’s youth to to better
equipped to handle and counteract negativity. She
wants youth to be prepared to handle being treated
differently but with the mindset that they will be
able to handle any demons that come their way.
Na’kia gives thanks to all those that have supported
her and the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha members.
She would like to strongly urge youth to show some
accountability, stating that “Change won’t happen
by itself but it can certainly start with us. The future
is near for us and I want to protect it.”
6900 18th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143
Na’kia Hughes is a sophmore at Harborside
Academy and hopes to attend college to be an
orthopedic surgeon. With a 3.3 cumulative GPA and
recent employment with Culver’s, Na’kia continues
to elevate her standard of academic excellence
and good character/leadership skills through
challenging herself daily. In addition to being
a good student, she partakes in extracurricular
activities which included being the stage manager
for the production Annie at her high school. She
is the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha Teen Center
Keystone President, a community service group
within the club. Na’kia always takes initiative in
volunteering for any community service project,
fundraising activity and event that is planned. She
also attended the Keystone National Conference in
10
This material and/or activity is not
sponsored by KUSD or its personnel.
GUIDE TO SPORTS & PROGRAMS, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF KENOSHA | FALL/WINTER 2017/18