[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


MIEASHA HICKS NAMED NATIONAL YOUTH OF THE YEAR BY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce to 
our colleagues that Mieasha Hicks, 18, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs 
of Toledo, Ohio, was named National Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls 
Clubs of America at its annual Congressional Breakfast held today in 
Washington, D.C. As noted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national 
office, sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation, the Youth of the 
Year program recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, 
school, community and Club, as well as personal challenges and 
obstacles overcome. She competed against four other regional finalists, 
Kewanna Daniels (Gulfport, Miss.), Ambrosia Hafen-Hayes (Las Vegas), 
Yamarie Negron (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) and Luis Vasquez (Greeley, Colo.).
  In their announcement of this award, the Boys and Girls Clubs of 
America describe Mieasha Hicks, as a survivor. Her parents were 13 and 
15 years old when she was born. Periodically, she was shuffled between 
households as the family grew. Being the oldest of seven children, 
Mieasha had no choice but to mature quickly.
  Today, she helps her brothers and sisters with their homework and 
prepares them for tests. She often takes them to the library, the 
movies, shopping and out to dinner. Thanks to Mieasha, all of her 
younger siblings have become honor students.
  Her father died when she was 12 and her mother left the state when 
she was 11. Despite these traumatic occurrences, Mieasha's visits to 
the East Toledo Boys & Girls Clubs gave her a reason to stay positive.
  For the last 10 years, the Club has given her a place to belong. 
There she served as vice president of the Keystone Club, a group which 
gave her the opportunity to lead community service projects. She has 
also learned marketing and sales skills while organizing bake sales and 
candy sales as fundraisers. Among other activities, Hicks assists with 
Power Hour, her Boys & Girls Club's after-school homework help program.
  Mieasha Hicks was an academic standout at Central Catholic High 
School, where she has been a member of the National Honor Society and 
the school choir, a cheerleader, and student council representative. 
She is also actively involved with the African-American Culture Club.
  She began attending Bowling Green University this fall where she will 
study medicine and science.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly a pleasure to commemorate this 
accomplishment by one of the first leaders of tomorrow's generation. 
For the next year she will have the opportunity to represent the Boys 
and Girls Clubs of America throughout the nation, and be an inspiration 
to thousands of young people who will see proof that success is 
possible when young people are willing to commit themselves to life's 
important goals. Congratulations, Miesha!

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