Alicia’s first memory of the Club comes from when she was just five years old. At first, she was stressed and didn’t know if she could handle the project other kids were working on. But immediately, some of the older youth noticed she needed help and immediately supported her. Now, as a member of Club staff, Alicia helps foster that same feeling of community she felt on her first day.

Whatever Alicia put her mind to, she made incredible strides in. Alicia took her first guitar class at the Club and later won a Battle of the Bands Competition. She went on field trips to tour colleges and now is focused on all her career possibilities post-graduation. And she first participated on the STEM team even when it met virtually, but eventually, her team wound up winning the Governor’s STEM Challenge — by building “biodigesters” that break down food and waste in her school’s greenhouse.

Alicia has channeled all the energy and drive she has into community service, enrolling in dual-credit college classes in high school, taking part in her school’s Wellness Club, getting deeply involved in the opening of the Club’s Teen Center (even getting interviewed about it in local media!) and more. With all these possibilities ahead, she looks back on her Club experience as an important part of that story. “No matter where my life takes me, I will always give back to the Boys & Girls Clubs.”

With so many opportunities before her, Alicia’s also focused on making the world a better, more livable and sustainable place by synthesizing all her interests to do the most for the world. “I want to do something important through environmental activism, mental health awareness or singing and songwriting. Having attended the Boys & Girls Clubs since I was 5 years old, I believe I can have a positive impact in all three areas.”