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Good deeds belie county's reputation
EVEN S. HARMAN / FILE / THE TENNESSEAN
Denise Carothers, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club
of Williamson County/Franklin, introduces former Titans running back
Eddie George to some of the club's children in 2007.
By KATHRIN CHAVEZ • Staff Writer •
August 1, 2008
Williamson County people care only about themselves and making
more money. That's an attitude I heard expressed in Davidson
County many times before starting work at Williamson A.M. in
December 1996.
But people here showed me many times over that affluence does
not equal indifference. This is my last faith and values story for
the newspaper, and I want to pay tribute to some of the bighearted
and thoughtful people I have met and written about in my time
here.
Of course, there is the obvious quartet of Cheryl King, Ermon
Lature, Denise Carothers and Pam Dugger. Their leadership of
charitable organizations filled holes in many people's lives.
King, as Graceworks Ministries director, is an inspiration in how
to help those in need. Lature battled high property prices and led
churches in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Carothers
makes a difference in children's lives every day as director of
Boys & Girls Club of Franklin and Williamson County. And Dugger
worked doggedly to improve homes of the county's poor through the
Community Housing Partnership.
And then there are the others, those people whose job wasn't to
look out for the needs of the disadvantaged, but who saw a need in
one of the most affluent counties in the country and did something
about it.
• Willie Otey heard about a woman who had no clothes to wear to
church and raided his wife's closet. The Oteys then began Feed
Franklin First to give away food, clothing and furniture to those
in need.
• In 2003, Marlee Priest, 10, and her brother, Reed, 6, decided
to not accept gifts at their birthday parties. Instead they asked
guests to bring items for Graceworks, BRIDGES of Williamson County
and mothers who needed baby supplies.
• While delivering Christmas baskets in the Flat Creek
community several years ago, Mary Ann Newcomb saw people who
needed help. She later started the Live and Let Live store in her
grandfather's old store building on Giles Hill Road to provide
free clothing, toys and household items.
• Pastors Scott Roley, Denny Denson, Hewitt Sawyers, Tom Moucka
and Chris Williamson began the Empty Hands Fellowship, dedicated
to racial and denominational reconciliation. The group later
started Hard Bargain Mount Hope Redevelopment to reclaim homes at
moderate prices in Franklin.
• While waiting for her husband to come home from deployment to
Iraq, Jennifer Robinson organized a countywide celebration,
complete with singer Lee Greenwood, to honor more than 65
servicemen and women with food, entertainment and gifts.
• Brenda Hauk was a Franklin High special education teacher who
wanted more for her students. She left her job and started
BrightStone, a job training and educational facility to provide
opportunities for them beyond high school. Six years later, the
school moved to its own building, well on the way to Hauk's dream
of a residential/working compound.
• Jose Duran, pastor of La Casa de Mi Padre, organized an
annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Pinkerton Park to provide free
food, clothing and medical help to the community.
Some county residents found need in their own experiences.
• Elaine Knight's husband died when she was 38. She grieved for
a while and then began the Widow to Widow support group to help
others like herself.
• Sue Downing started Children of Aging Parents after having to
move her mother to a nursing home.
• Raylene King of Nolens-ville organizes a yard sale and silent
auction each year to raise money for breast cancer research after
she had the disease.
• Horse trainer Pamela Herzberg put together a horse show for
medical research after learning of the rare disease of a student's
young sister.
• A.A. "Bud" Colebrooke of Franklin repaid what he considered a
70-year-old debt a few years ago. He sent a $100,000 check to
Medford, Mass., which agreed to put his mother and five siblings
on its welfare roll when Colebrooke was 8. The action allowed the
family to remain together after the father left them during the
Great Depression.
Others whose work dispelled the myth of an uncaring Williamson
County looked farther afield for need.
• On a mission trip to Jamaica, then-Brentwood High School
student Mary Lutz saw many people with no shoes. She organized a
shoe drive at East Brentwood Presbyterian Church and collected 600
pairs of shoes.
• And then there was the smuggler — Dabney Mann. The Franklin
woman spent several years stuffing Bibles in many-pocketed aprons,
duct-taping religious films to her legs to sneak them into China.
Her most precious cargo was a 3-year-old girl. Mann brought her
out of China to her parents, who had had to leave her behind when
they came to Nashville.
• Shannon Bennett found the answer to giving and receiving
unwanted gifts. She started an Alternative Gift Market at
Franklin's First United Methodist to raise thousands of dollars
for local and overseas charities by people donating in the name of
someone else.
• Tom Henry fed lots of people in the restaurant business. Now
he feeds lots of people for free through his Feed America First
organization that transports donated food across the southeastern
United States.
• Harvard student and Centennial graduate Matt Schrimpf pedaled
his bicycle across the country to raise money for Habitat for
Humanity. Brentwood High junior Kelsie Overton put together a
battle of the bands to benefit International Justice Mission, an
agency working with victims of slavery and oppression around the
world.
• Lt. Holly Adams was the first female senior class president
of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and she won the academy's award for
the cadet who best exemplifies the highest ideals of integrity. I
first interviewed Holly right after she graduated from Page High
School. The second interview was after her academy graduation.
Holly's accomplishments were many and her heart was big enough
to encompass a large variety of charities and causes. One example
alone typifies her generosity. She would go to McDonald's on
hamburger sale days, fork over all her cash and take the burgers
to a nearby park where she gave them to the homeless.
Holly died in a traffic accident on icy roads trying to get
home for Christmas in 2002. I heard about it at work the next day,
and that night I stared out my front windows with a darkened
Christmas tree beside me. I couldn't bear to turn on the lights.
All of these people meant something to me, more than just for
the week I wrote their stories, and there are many more of them
than I could name. I hope you will notify my successor of people
you find doing good things here.
I know they're out there.
Send religion news to Harriet Vaughan at
hvaughan@tennessean.com.
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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Congressmen, business leaders say Nissan means big
business for county
By Mindy Tate
mtate@williamsonherald.com
Congressmen, foreign dignitaries, local and state political and business
leaders all braved the blazing sun Tuesday for the dedication of the Nissan
Americas headquarters Tuesday, obviously ready to proclaim it as a great day
for the state, Williamson County and Franklin.
As officials cooled off inside over a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs,
Crescent Resources Senior VP for the Tennessee Region Pat Emery, whose
Corporate Centre I & II project flanks the Nissan building on two sides,
said it will bring greater attention to Franklin and Cool Springs.
“I think this development shows the importance of Cool Springs in the
region,” Emery said. “It now has Nissan Americas’ headquarters, Community
Health’s headquarters and Healthways’ headquarters. This is becoming a
headquarters area and I think this is just another step in headquarters and
other companies moving to Cool Springs.”
Crescent Resources isn’t done on the east side of Interstate 65, Emery said.
“We actually have finalized a master plan which we are going to take to the
planning commission in September to show what that plan is as far as we are
concerned,” Emery said of the acreage which remains on Carothers Parkway
near its intersection with McEwen.
“What that plan will look like is it will be more office, support retail and
some opportunities for individuals to own their own buildings in this area
as well,” Emery said, hinting that more corporate headquarters could be
headed in that direction. Crescent sold the 50-acre site for the Nissan
building to the city of Franklin’s Industrial Development Board for $13
million as part of the city’s economic development incentives coordinated by
the state.
In turn, the city in 2005 created an economic development or tax increment
financing district which included all the undeveloped property within a
one-mile radius of the new McEwen interchange to repay the $15 million cost
of the bond issue.
With the building’s opening on Tuesday, the city’s economic development
contributions end as the 50-acre site went on the city and county tax rolls
and in-lieu-of-property tax payments will begin at a rate of 60 percent to
Williamson County to cover schools operations and 100 percent to the city,
which will put the money into retiring the bond issue.
News crews from around the world were on hand to cover the dedication and
those from the Detroit area remarked on the “cheerier news” on the job front
in Tennessee.
Matt Largen, just a few months into his role as Williamson County economic
development director, said he feels the news is obviously cheerier and
continues to look up.
“Without question, the Nissan dedication solidifies Williamson County's
well-deserved reputation as the ideal location for a corporate headquarter
relocation,” Largen said. “Nissan's selection of Williamson County as the
location for their North American headquarters sends a strong message to
other Fortune 500 companies that are actively evaluating locations across
the United States. The message is that Williamson County, because of our
highly skilled and highly educated workforce, low cost of doing business,
relatively low cost of living, and great schools, is a perfect fit for a
company like Nissan that is focused on steady growth long-term.”
Williamson County’s two representatives in Congress, Fourth District
Congressman Lincoln Davis, whose district includes about one-quarter of
Williamson County, and Seventh District Congressman Marsha Blackburn said
the state’s reputation for business is well-known.
"We are pleased to see the continued jobs growth that is taking place in our
state and in Williamson County,” Blackburn said. “We know that the increased
presence of Nissan will mean more economic opportunities not just for the
automotive but the manufacturing sectors."
Davis said the state’s governors and legislators have helped increase that
reputation.
“When you look at the investment made by Nissan North America in 1980 when
they came to Smyrna and now their national headquarters here in Franklin and
Williamson County, I think it is something that just continues to bring
Tennessee’s efforts in economic development and job creation to here in
Middle Tennessee and across our state,” Davis said.
“I think first when you look at Tennessee we have a good tax structure that
would bode well for (continued job growth),” he said. “We have right-to-work
laws in Tennessee and Governors Alexander, Sundquist and Phil Bredesen have
worked very hard to keep Workers’ comp at a level where employers can afford
to continue to provide coverage for those without it breaking the bank.”
For those who question whether Nissan’s relocation means increased community
involvement, on Tuesday, the corporation’s charitable foundation gave
$50,000 each to the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin and Williamson County and
to the Harpeth River Watershed Association, as well as Second Harvest Food
Bank of Middle Tennessee.
How will Harpeth River Watershed Association use that money?
“That is going to support a couple of project areas,” said Doree Bolze, HRWA
director. “One is Harpeth River Scenic Blueways, where we are looking at
establishing public access to the river. What we are working on right now is
the northern part of Williamson County that connects Franklin to all the
public access points in Davidson and Cheatham counties, where the park is.”
For the Boys & Girls Club, preparing to begin construction on their new
facility on Granbury Street near the old Battle Ground Academy, the money
will be used for an outdoor arts classroom, according to Denise Carothers,
club director.
Posted on: 7/24/2008 |
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| MEXICAN FIESTA &
TEQUILA TASTING |
New event set for
June will also benefit The Boys & Girls Club
FRANKLIN, Tenn.—Wine Down Man Street, Franklin's favorite wine tasting
event, is set for Friday, November 7th in the shops and
businesses along historic Main Street. Two additional events have been added
to the mix this year including the first ever Wine Down Main Street Mexican
Fiesta & Tequila Tasting on Thursday, June 19th in the showroom
of Hallmark Volkswagen on Bakers Bridge Road in Cool Springs and the third
annual Vintner's Tasting set for Thursday, September 25th.
Don your sombreros, shake your maracas and pick up your tickets for what
is expected to become an annual tradition, the Wine Down Main Street Mexican
Fiesta & Tequila Tasting. Sol, the hottest new restaurant in Franklin, will
be heating up the showroom at Hallmark Volkswagen with authentic Mexican
food, Trio San Rafael will rock with their own brand of Latin infused music
all while patrons sample some of the finest tequilas and south of the border
beer available. And what would a Wine Down Main Street event be without
wine? Three Argentinean vintages will be available for tasting as well.
Milagro will provide six tequilas for tasting including Milagro Silver,
Milagro Reposado, Milagro Anejo as well as Select Barrel Reserve Silver,
Select Barrel Reserve Reposado and Select Barrel Anejo. The south of the
border beer is actually being provided by Nashville's Yazoo brewery and
includes the Dos Perros Ale and the Mexican style Amarillo Pale Ale. Three
wines, all from Argentina, will be served including a Malbec and Torrontes
from Zolo Winery and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Gouguenheim Winery
Also available will be margaritas utilizing the Milagro tequilas.
A limited number of tickets are available at per person online at
www.WineDownMainStreet.com or at the Boys & Girls Club (129 West Fowlkes
Street), Hallmark Volkswagen (620 Bakers Bridge Road) and the Faye Snodgrass
Gallery (344 Main Street).
The third annual Wine Down Main Street Vintner's Tasting will be held at
Hallmark Volkswagen on Thursday, September 25th. The event is
still in the planning stages and its details will be announced shortly.
Since 2001, Wine Down Main Street has raised more than 0,000 for the Boys
& Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County. Last year's event was the
seventh straight sell-out with 1,400 tickets purchased. For 2008, Main
Street will be closed from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue with all the food
providers being set up in the Public Square. More than 40 shops and
businesses participated last year along with 25 restaurants.
Tickets to Wine Down Main Street are currently on sale now only at
www.WineDownMainStreet.com. Hard tickets will be available in the shops
along Main Street beginning in September. Tickets remain per person again
this year.
Hallmark Volkswagen presents Wine Down Main Street again this year.
Sponsors include Lipman Brothers Distributors, TS3, Green Bank, Meridian
Cool Springs, Williamson A.M./The Tennessean, FranklinIs and One Woman Show
Design |
Ex-Titan Brad Hopkins to beef up Steak & Burger benefit
NFL vet applauds Boys & Girls Club
By BONNIE BURCH • Staff Writer • April 4, 2008
FRANKLIN — Former Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins, who will serve as
master of ceremonies for tonight's Steak & Burger Dinner, got a preview of the
night's musical offerings. During a pre-event visit Tuesday, the retired
football player was serenaded with "Old Time Religion," courtesy of a few
melodious members of the Boys & Girls Club of Williamson County.
Hopkins last year participated in the dinner's activities, including a
celebrity roast for former teammate Eddie George. This year, Hopkins takes the
reins.
"It's great to see the kids in this program. The Boys & Girls Club does so
many good things in the community, giving kids a place to come and belong,"
Hopkins said.
After the short vocal presentation, several club members gathered around
the past NFL Pro Bowler to give him high fives, shake hands and clamor for
autographs. Nine-year-old Dimitri Thomas looked to be on cloud nine after
walking away with a sheet of notebook paper that contained Hopkins' signature
and a note addressed specifically to the youngster.
"Yes, ma'am," Dimitri said enthusiastically when asked if he was a Titans
fan.
Watching the proceedings was the dinner's professional musical guest.
Christian recording artist Jme Medina has long been a supporter of the club's
goals of serving at-risk children and youth with positive activities, social
outlets and safe experiences. When she was a youngster, she was a Boys & Girls
Club member.
"I'm really passionate about the club and really happy to donate my time.
The main thing they do is that the club educates children on things like the
importance of keeping healthy. It's things they can use in everyday life, but
there is also a lot of focus on respect and morals," Medina said.
As is family tradition, Medina's two children, Jesalyn, 9, and Jaden, 6,
are also Boys & Girls Club members.
"They love it. They want to live here," she said.
WKRN-Channel 2 reporter Brad Schmitt will help Hopkins during the live
auction portion of the evening.
Live and silent auctions feature items from a signed football jersey from
former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, to autographed CDs
from Trisha Yearwood and Toby Keith and a gingerbread-house-making party for
six.
Contact Bonnie Burch at 771-5421 or
bburch@tennessean.com.
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photo: FILE
Restaurants line the CoolSprings Galleria during the 2007
Taste of Cool Springs, set for this Sunday, April 6, at the
Galleria. More than 45 restaurants are set to participate.
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Wild Weekend - Celebrate for
good causes Friday, Saturday and Sunday
By VALERIE NUTT, Staff Writer
vnutt@williamsonherald.com
Williamson County has a reputation for knowing how to have a
good time while giving back to the community.
This weekend three annual events will continue that tradition,
providing the community with world-class food, entertainment and
philanthropy.
Friday at 6:30 p.m. the Boys & Girls club will hold the 19th
annual Steak & Burger Dinner, an event where the kids eat better
than the adults.
“This is national Boys & Girls Club week and we’re excited to
have Sen. Jack Johnson coming to present member awards,” said
Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of
Franklin/Williamson County Denise Carothers.
Former Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins hosts an evening of food,
entertainment, and the evening’s main event, a live and silent
auction benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Williamson County.
Auction highlights include a signed jersey from former
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, autographed
CDs from country music artists like Trisha Yearwood, Toby Keith,
Shania Twain, and Alan Jackson, local author Donna VanLiere’s
Christmas Hope series, wine, massages, manicures, gift
certificates, and more.
An evening of entertainment will include performances by James
Medina, and several special performances from club members,
including a gospel medley, nationally acclaimed clog dancer and
a musical group.
“Our summer program kicks off in July,” Carothers said. “The
funds raised at the dinner always go to fund that.”
Tickets to the Steak & Burger Dinner are $100 per person and
available by calling the Boys & Girls Club at 794-4800 or online
at www.bgcfwc.org.
Saturday the county keeps on giving back with the 2008
Williamson County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Legacy Ball at
Embassy Suites in Cool Springs.
This year lead sponsor First Tennessee Bank will again host the
Tuscan-themed black tie affair, an evening of dinner, dancing
and auctions benefiting the Franklin-based agency.
“We have some incredible stuff up for auction,” Executive
Director Kelly O’Connor said.
“The most unique thing is the first Legacy Quilt auction going
on now at First Tennessee bank on the Franklin Square.”
The Legacy Quilt is the first project of the Friends of the
Child Advocacy Center and will be on display at First Tennessee
through Friday where early bids may be placed. A live auction of
the quilt will conclude at Saturday’s event and include early
bids.
The CAC works to combat child abuse by coordinating services to
children and their families in crisis and providing community
education focused on prevention and early intervention.
Last year’s event raised nearly $40,000 to help continue and
expand free services provided to victims of abuse. In 2007 the
center provided over 800 services to their clients, including
368 new clients.
“We rely heavily on the funds we raise at this event,” O’Connor
said. “This year we expanded to include counseling services.
Every service we offer is free of charge.”
Individual tickets to Saturday’s event are $95. Please call at
778-0757 to purchase tickets or for more information.
Sunday, April 6 both floors of CoolSprings Galleria will be
transformed into a dining extravaganza when more than 45 area
restaurants and caterers serve up food to benefit United Way of
Williamson County.
Prizes will be up for grabs and entertainment will last through
the night with music from event favorite, local piano man Ron
Shuff, the returning Brentwood High School Jazz Band, and new
acts, country music artist Michelle Murray and singer/songwriter
Erin James.
United Way of Williamson County formed in 1961. Today they work
with 35 community agencies like the J. L. Clay Senior Center,
The Arc of Williamson County, My Friends House, local Boy Scout
troops, and more to provide community services.
“We have a lot of new restaurants participating this year,”
Marketing and Communications Manager Cheryl Stewart said. “One,
Wild Ginger, hasn’t even opened yet.”
This year’s menu ranges from soft serve, frozen yogurt from TCBY
to Cuban roasted pork from Saffire and everything in between.
“Each agency that sells tickets gets to keep a percentage of
their sales,” Stewart said. “The rest of the money we raise will
go into our allocation fund to be distributed.”
For a full list of participating restaurants and for ticket
locations visit www.tasteofcoolsprings.com. Tickets are $35 in
advance and $40 at the door.
Posted on: 4/3/2008 |
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Things to Do: Burger dinner brings out steaks and stars
Here's one event where spot at kids table is for VIPs
By BONNIE BURCH • Staff Writer • March 30, 2008
FRANKLIN — Notables including a former Tennessee Titan, a state senator
and a Christian music star will be on hand Friday for the Steak & Burger
Dinner to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. One might suspect they're attracted
by thick slabs of beef served hot off the grill, but only the kids who attend
get steak. Adults will dine on the burgers through a 19-year tradition that is
strictly enforced.
Still, mature patrons are coming out in force to support the nonprofit that
serves Franklin and Williamson County at-risk children and youth.
Football player and retired Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins will emcee the
event while entertainment will be provided by Franklin-based Christian musical
artist Jme Medina and club members. State Sen. Jack Johnson will present the
club's Youth of the Year award and WKRN-Channel 2 entertainment reporter Brad
Schmitt will be host of the live auction.
There also will be a silent auction featuring memorabilia from local sports
and music personalities.
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites hotel in Cool Springs.
Tickets are $100 each and can be bought online at
http://bgcfwc.org or by
calling 794-4800.
Franklin Planning Commission - Thursday, Feb.
28
(Williamson AM Sunday March 2, 2008)
Commission approves new Boys & Girls Club
Planning commissioners unanimously approved a conceptual plan for a new Boys &
Girls Club facility on a vacant lot at Granbury and Academy streets. The lot is
part of the former Battle Ground Academy campus and now considered part of
Academy Park. The facility would be next to homes and across the street from
Williamson County's gymnasium building. — RACHEL STULTS, STAFF WRITER
Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year planning for their futures
By CAROLE ROBINSON, Staff Writer
crobinson@williamsonherald.com
Three truly exceptional young men and women have been selected for the
Boys & Girls Club of Franklin and Williamson County’s highest honor — the
Youth of the Year for 2008. The three youths are Victor Sawyers and Terrance
Steele from Franklin and Mandy Mollette from Fairview.
Mollette, Sawyers and Steele are among hundreds of local Youth of the Year,
who for more than 60 years have been selected across the country and
recognized for their sound character, leadership skills and willingness to
give back to the community. The title also acknowledges the recipient’s
outstanding contributions to family, school, community and the Club as well
their ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles.
“Each of these young people is extraordinary,” said Denise Carothers,
executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County.
“Amanda is a very energetic young lady who love working with the younger
club members. T.J. has grown into a respectful young man with some lofty
goals and Victor, who is very well mannered, is very much into making a
difference at school and at the Boys & Girls Club. I am very proud of each
of them and know they will represent their respective clubs well.”
This year’s trio will be honored in a special ceremony during the Boys &
Girls Club’s annual Steak & Burger dinner on April 4 at the Embassy Suites.
Senator Jack Johnson will give the awards to three shining examples of
Williamson County’s youth.
Victor Sawyers
Victor Sawyers, the son of Tameka Sawyers, is an eighth-grader at Freedom
Middle School and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since he was 9
years old.
“It’s a fun place to be,” he said. “There are lots of activities and they
help us with our homework. It keeps us out of trouble.”
Victor, who wants to be real estate agent and sell “big houses” and work in
sports management, enjoys club programs such as Money Matters and Job Ready,
which are preparing him for his future and his chosen careers.
With 11 children in his family, Victor likes to play baseball and plans to
attend the University of Tennessee.
“My mom is happy for me,” he said.
He is “doing well in school,” according to Victor, but according to his Club
director, David Swingler, Victor is an A student who was recently chosen
Student of the Month at his school and has been a Youth of the Month at the
Club several times over the past six years he has been a member.
“He gets along well with other club members and has been on the honor roll
since he became a Boys & Girls Club member,” Swingler said.
He participates is the Keystone Club, a small group leadership club and his
favorite subject is math because he “likes solving problems.”
“He wants to have his own business,” said Swingler.
Victor said he believes he was chosen Youth of the Year in the Youth
Division because he is respectful and helpful.
“I am respectful and I help out when people need help,” Victor said. “I’m
doing well in school – I’m a good role model.”
T.J. Steele
While most of his peers are still trying to decide what they want to do with
their life, Terrance (T.J.) Steele, the son of Delois and Terry Steele, is a
junior at Centennial High and he has all ready mapped out his future.
According to T.J., that future begins with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology
and one in mass communication.
But that’s not all.
“I want to get a Master’s degree in Business Administration,” he said. “I
dream of being the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.”
He is looking at companies like AT&T, Apple Inc., and Target.
If he doesn’t get the CEO job, he has a back-up plan. He wants to be on the
radio as a current events talk show host and eventually own his own radio
station.
“I’m a planner,” he said.
T.J. has been a member of the Boy’s & Girls Club since he was 6 years old.
When he was 14 he decided he wanted to become a staff person so he started
volunteering logging more than 2,000 hours and demonstrating a lot of
leadership capabilities, said William Booker, Teen Director at the Franklin
club.
“He really gets along with the other club members and shows genuine concern
with their grades and what they are doing in general.”
This year he became a part time staff person – with pay.
He keeps returning to the Club because, “I like the environment at the Club
and the people who can help us further our ambitions and career,” he said.
“I thank the people here at the Boys & Girls Club because they prepared me
for what I want to do. They motivated me. They come to school to talk to the
teachers – that’s the best part of the club – they follow up. You can talk
about family, you can tell them issues and what’s going on - they listen,
they care.”
When he gets his job as a CEO or owns his radio station, T.J. said he would
remember his community and the Boys & Girls Club with his time, large
donations and scholarships, “because they gave so much to me. I’ll always
have time for the Boys & Girls Club.”
Amanda Mollette
Amanda “Mandy” Mollette, the daughter of Emily Mollette Wade and Steve Wade,
is an eighth-grader at Fairview Middle School. She is the first Youth of the
Year at the newly created Fairview Club and has set a very high standard for
future winners, said Fairview Director Tamara Peay.
“She loves her club, she loves her community and she likes being a role
model to the younger kids,” Peay said.
Her family moved to Fairview a couple years ago and because Mandy was
painfully shy, she was having a hard time making friends.
Mandy has been a member of the club since it opened a year ago, she said.
Her mom signed her up for the club’s summer camp.
“It brought me out of my shell,” she said. “I started being friends with the
kids, I opened up and became friends with adults, too. Now I have a lot of
friends”
And she is far from shy.
Mandy now helps other members of the club by teaching and being a peer
counselor with the Smart Moves program.
“I help Miss Jessie take care of the kids,” she said. “Because I am closer
in age I teach them what drugs can do to you and how they affect their
life.”
She is an A student in school who plans to go to Vanderbilt’s School of
Nursing when she graduates. She is president of the Keystone Club, a
community service and activity group.
“This is a great honor and a great self-esteem builder,” said her mother.
“(The Boys & Girls Club) teaches kids the right moves to make in life, in a
safe environment where they can enjoy other children.”
Posted on: 2/21/2008 |
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Fairview teen named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year
( from the Fairview Observer)
Amanda Mollette, Terrance “T.J.” Steele and Victor
Sawyers are true examples of extraordinary young men and women.
This dynamic trio haven been selected Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls
Club of Franklin/Williamson County's Fairview location, Franklin Location and
Teen Center location.
Mollette, Steele, and Sawyers are among hundreds of local Youth of the Year
winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)
for sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the
community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member
can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's
family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges
and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the
generosity of the Reader's Digest Foundation.
Amanda Mollette, the daughter of Emily Mollette Wade and
Steve Wade, is a seventh grade student at Fairview Middle School. Amanda aspires
to be a nurse and serves as a peer counselor at the Fairview club.
T.J Steele, the son of Delois and Terry Steele, is a junior at Centennial High.
T.J. plans to major in business management at Lipscomb University. An eleven
year member of the Franklin Boys & Girls Club, he is now employed by the club as
a Smart Moves peer counselor. He also was the 2005 Youth of the year for the
Franklin Club. Victor Sawyers, the son of Tameka Sawyers, is an eighth grade
student at Freedom Middle School. Victor would someday like to be a real estate
agent as well as work in sports management. “Each of these young people is
extraordinary,” said Denise Carothers, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls
Club of Franklin/Williamson County. “Amanda is a very energetic young lady who
loves working with the younger club members.
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“T.J. has grown into a respectful young man with some lofty
goals, and Victor, who is very well mannered, is very much into making a
difference at his school and the Boys & Girls Club. “I am very proud of each of
them and know they well represent their respective clubs well.”
In February, Mollette, Steele and Sawyers will compete against Youth of the year
nominees in Nashville for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee Youth of
the Year title.
This winner will go on to compete at the state level in April. If either of the
three were to win at the state level, then he or she will compete for the title
of Southeast Region Youth of the Year and win a $10,000 scholarship. The five
regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2008 to compete
for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year.
The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college
scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
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