Courtney P.

For his eighth birthday present, Courtney asked for a Boys & Girls Club membership.

He kept attending the Club for 11 years. Even as events in 2011 threw him into a depression, Courtney continued to attend the Club and help others. He served as vice president of Torch Club, the leadership and service group for youth ages 11 to 13. He threw himself into Junior Staff, the Club program that allows members to explore careers in human services. Courtney credits Power Hour, the homework help program, for fostering study skills that made him valedictorian of his high school class. He also served as student council president, led a social media campaign to build a new school, and raised awareness about substance abuse, domestic violence, and physical fitness. Courtney is a junior at University of Oklahoma, where he studies communications.