Remington Lovitt is a remarkably mature girl for her age of 12 years. She displays this maturity by outstanding behavior, always respectful, and is a pleasure to be with. In addition, she is an assistant to staff in the Technology Room, a role normally reserved for teenagers. She leads by example. The activity Remington enjoys most is singing, both in the choir at Fernandina Middle School and in the Youth Choir at Journey Church. She is very involved with the needs of her family at home: housekeeping, caring for pets and cooking – her favorite. Remington thinks a career as a veterinarian is an attractive goal, as well as playing professional sports. Her mature approach to life will surely lead to success

Michelle Bingham is in 6th grade at Yulee Middle School and, at age 13, is an outstanding role model for the younger members of the Miller Club. With her position in the Junior Staff Program, Michelle excels at helping Club staff with Club activities and, particularly, has become a mentor to members in the 6 to 7 year-old group. She is the same helpful person around the house at home: cleaning, caring for pets and cooking. Michelle does well at school where she has math and history as favorite subjects. But where she stars at school is as an outfielder and good batter with the Lady Hornets softball team. Michelle hopes to attend college, perhaps with a sports scholarship, and initially pursue a professional sports opportunity. Longer term, she looks to find her career choice in the field of medicine. 

Vanessa Smith is a delightful youngster in 3rd grade at Yulee Elementary. Popular with other Miller Club members, Vanessa is a great role model for her peers. She participates in several Club programs such as Top Tomatoes, learning about growing plants, the Learning Zone and, her favorite, the Games Room. At home, Vanessa helps with house cleaning, the care of her younger sister and her kitten named Winter. At school, Vanessa is an A-B student, loves reading and math. At age nine, she has not yet firmed-up a vision of her higher education but thinks teaching would be a rewarding career. We think she would excel as a teacher or whatever path she takes in the future.     

Morgan Pafford attends 2nd grade at Yulee Primary School and, at age 8 years, is already a role model for other members of the Miller Freedom Club. She achieves straight A’s in class, is active in gymnastics and cheerleading in the community, and is an accomplished horseback rider. When at the Club, Morgan is well-mannered, a participant in Club programs and a delight to be with. She is eager to help with chores at home and does her own laundry. While Morgan has plenty of time to decide on her future as a grown-up, she thinks it would be great to have a career as a nurse or, building on her love for animals, a veterinarian.

Tahj Avery is an eleven-year-old with a great sense of humor and is a pleasure to have as a member of the Miller Club. He is invariably well-behaved, respectful and trustworthy. A natural leader at the Club, he stands out among the other members and finds the Computer Lab to be his favorite activity. In 6th grade at Yulee Middle School, Tahj maintains a spot on the A/B Honor Roll and excels at Science. At home, he willingly does chores and is responsible for caring for the family dog. Tahj has already formed his aspirations for college and a career. He hopes to study technology at Full Sale University in Winter Park, FL as preparation to become a programmer and designer of video games.

Only seven-years old, Ryanne Manning is an exceptional youngster who radiates love and joy to everyone at the Miller Club. When the Club staff awards prizes for good behavior, Ryanne is almost guaranteed to be a winner. Further, she is a natural leader and exemplifies fairness and sportsmanship. During the Learning Zone program, she is one of the most attentive members. Ryanne is in 2nd grade at Yulee Primary School where her favorite subjects are science and math. She loves doing fun things with her family, particularly her younger brother. Even at her young age, Ryanne has formed a clear idea of her future as a grown-up: she wants to be a dentist. Whatever path Ryanne takes, she seems sure to be successful.

Chris Lemon is a credit to the Miller Club. While he speaks softly and is always well-behaved, he projects a powerful presence. A 10-year old in 5th grade at Yulee Elementary, Chris excels in all aspects of sports activity and does well in his favorite subjects – math and science. He is a leader at the Club, always honest, polite and well-spoken. He is exceptional in performing so well in basketball, football and even boxing – yet never acting as though those skills granted him special treatment. He comes from a close family that does everything together and is best friends with his big brother. With the athletic ability that Chris displays, it is not surprising that he aspires to a career in sports as a professional basketball or football player or boxer. He would be a good one! 

The room at Miller Club lights up when Leon Cribb enters with his grin and vibrant presence! In 5th grade at Yulee Elementary, this 10-year-old boy is a role model for hard work, fair play and kindliness. Leon willingly helps out with Club chores as well as at home. At school, he does well in math and social studies. At the Club, Leon is respected by staff and peers alike, and displays the characteristics that make a good leader. He extends his positive attitude by participating in his church’s outreach ministries to help those less fortunate. In the future, Leon aspires to be a Chef, after a career in pro basketball. So far, his leadership and friendliness point to success in life.

Yvette Curtin has been a member of the Miller Club for over a year and is a credit to the Club. She is one of eight siblings, most of whom are also Club members, and is an excellent role model for them at home as well as for other members of the Club. Always helpful and well-mannered, Yvette enjoys Club games activity the most, displaying her belief in fairness and sportsmanship. In 5th grade at Yulee Elementary, where she excels at reading and writing, her name is found on the A Honor Roll list. At age 10, Yvette has formed an ambition to become a teacher or a lawyer. This bright, motivated youngster will find success whatever career path she follows.  

Kyra Vieira is an exceptional young person in 4th grade at Yulee Elementary, where her name appears regularly on the “A” Honor Roll. She believes the Miller Club has helped her learn how to make good choices and credits the SMART GIRLS program with teaching her how to resolve disagreements and communicate better. Kyra enjoys helping Staff in the Learning Zone and is always a pleasure to be around. But her very favorite thing is Performing Arts at the Club: ballet dancing and acting. Although just 10 years-old, Kyra already has her career firmly in mind. She dreams of performing ballet worldwide as a professional. We think that dream can become a successful realty! 

The Miller Club Youth of the Month is Alexis Shearin, in 5th grade at Yulee Elementary. Alexis credits Boys & Girls Clubs with a major role in her development of positive qualities - like helping others, being generous and courteous. She particularly enjoys showing younger members how to play games correctly and fairly in the Games Room. At school, Alexis is an A/B Honor Roll student and loves to read, a talent she learned in the Club’s Learning Zone. She is a fine role model for her younger sister, also a Miller Club member. When this 11-year-old girl thinks about her future, she wants to serve other people - possibly as a nurse or in law enforcement. That future looks bright indeed! 

Kammeryn London is an enthusiastic, positive youngster who the Miller Club staff and members enjoy being with. She attends 5th grade at Emma Love Hardy Elementary and her name appears regularly on the A/B Honor Roll. Moreover, Kammeryn is a leader by example, taking the initiative when staff or members need help, and particularly enjoys helping younger members hone their reading skills. She credits the Club with teaching her the value of respect for both others and herself. She is fond of athletics and excels at soccer. At age 11, Kammeryn has already formed an idea of her career goal. She sees herself as a teacher in a medical college, a professor in fact. With her demonstrated leadership qualities, intelligence and great attitude, Kammeryn can achieve much in the future.

Vanessa Fortenberry is one of three siblings who are members of the Miller Club. She shines in the way Club membership has enabled her to change from a loner to a happier, outgoing person. Vanessa relates how she has made good friends and learned new things at the Club, particularly the game of chess – her favorite game now. Perhaps most important is that she has become one of the most thoughtful and helpful members, always available when the staff or younger members need a hand. In 5th grade at Yulee Elementary, her name is on the A/B Honor Roll and she excels at math. Vanessa’s ambition is to attend University of Florida, train as a nurse and serve in the Coast Guard where she can continue to help others. This young person is a role model for all members of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Kendall Panke is a girl with remarkable sensitivity for her ten years. She is sure that Miller Club membership has improved her skills in language through the Learning Zone program, and has taught her how to believe in herself. Kendall displays intuitive awareness of the emotions of others and has been blessed with parents that she finds to be great role models. She tells them about that by writing them a note each evening. In 5th grade at Yulee Elementary, she consistently makes the A/B Honor Roll. At the Club, Kendall is a valued asset to the Miller Staff, serving as a Junior Leader and seeking every day to find ways to help out. Demonstrating her concern for the well-being of other people, Kendall’s ambition is to become a medical nurse. She “wants to be able to make people feel better”. And she does that already! 

John Curtin is a pleasant, calm young man, aged 13, whose disposition belies the tragedy he has overcome in life. Four years ago John’s mom passed away. He became a major source of support for his 10 younger siblings. He credits the Miller Club with teaching him how to be a leader, make good decisions and be a positive influence on others. Both his peers at the Club and the Club staff find John to be an inspiration for maturity and helpfulness. In 6th grade at Yulee Middle School, he has a strong interest and ability in science, shown by his successful construction of robots for his school’s science fairs. His ambition is to become an auto mechanic working on and restoring high performance cars. We have no doubt John can achieve any dream he decides to pursue.

Noah Smith is a budding athlete but also a youngster with eye on academics and service to others. In 7th grade at Yulee Middle School, Noah stays on the A/B Honor Roll and is quite mature at age 12. He credits the Miller Club for teaching him how to handle stress and relationships, citing the Passport to Manhood and START Smart programs. Noah excels in sports, plays on his school baseball and track teams, and loves to surf. At the Club, he says Coach Paris has helped him become more responsible and positive. This shows in his willingness to volunteer and be helpful in a variety of Club activities. Noah’s ambition is to earn a sports scholarship at UNF and become a professional baseball player. His talent and determination should make that goal a reality.   

Reggine Alexander is age 13, in 8th grade at Fernandina Beach Middle School, and a Boys & Girls Club success story! She joined the Miller Club when she was just six years old but dropped out at age 10. Her school performance then dropped from A Honor Roll to failing grades. When she returned to the Club, her good grades returned as well. Reggine says: “Not just my grades, but every part of my life is better when I go to the Club. The Club is like an extended family that supports you.” When her dearly loved grandmother passed away, Club peers and Staff provided much needed comfort and support. Reggine is very active in Club programs and at FBMS, and helped make the Club summer program successful. She wants to go to law school at FSU and we are sure she will make it big!      

Tristan Brown is a young man who knows that character and self-esteem are important, both now and as he grows older. Age 10 and in sixth grade at Yulee Middle School, Tristan testifies that the Miller Club has been a major factor in his development of maturity and good manners. He credits Club programs such as Passport to Manhood and Start Smart as well as Succeed Through Service, the program the Club conducts with partner The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Tristan takes serious responsibility for his younger brother, coaching him and other Club members with homework during Power Hour. His motivation at the Club is a mirror of his school performance, achieving “A” Honor Roll routinely. Tristan’s ambition is a career in professional sports and shows talent in basketball at the Club. He is surely on a path to future success.

Kaitlyn Luna is girl who loves to help others. In fifth grade at Yulee Elementary, Kaitlyn is frequently found beside her role model, Staff Member Phebia Jefferson, helping younger Miller Club members learn to play games with honesty and sportsmanship. At home, she is a care-giver to her special-needs stepbrother on a daily basis, an experience that has trained her in patience and love. At the Club, Kaitlyn credits Computer Lab and Learning Zone programs with helping her achieve A-B Honor Roll at school.

     At age ten, she has a dream of becoming a veterinarian and a career of caring for animals. Kaitlyn has what it takes to make her dream come true or, we believe, whatever other dream she finds as she grows older.  

JT Penrod is an exceptional young man. At age 10 and in fifth grade at Yulee Elementary, JT’s extensive vocabulary and linguistic ability make him a stand out in the Miller Club’s Learning Zone. He has a keen interest in Greek mythology, and he excels at creative writing, particularly about history in the Club’s Computer Lab. With a ready smile and calm demeanor, he easily takes on leadership roles. JT understands that chores are important even if not challenging, and he assumes responsibility for clean-up and yard work at home. He is an excellent role model and can be counted on to do what’s right. At school his name always appears on the A-B Honor Roll.

     JT aspires to education that will prepare him for life as a pastor with a side-line as a soccer coach. We can only say: Go JT!

Juliene Nipper is an eleven-year-old youngster who started shy and timid when she joined the Miller Club. Now she is confident and outgoing, and she credits the Club for the change. Learning Zone helped her with public speaking, Performing Arts taught her self-expression and Gym showed her she could do sports, too. In fifth grade at Yulee Middle School, Juliene earns a spot on the A-B Honor Roll.

     A caring person, she looks after her three-year-old sister at home, and she frequently helps younger kids at Computer Lab. Loving math and science, Juliene aspires to a career in medicine, maybe as a Primary Care Physician, and wants to combine that with marriage and a happy family. Admirable goals and Juliene is on the way to achieving them!

Amiah Dunham is a remarkable young person.  She attends Yulee Middle School in sixth grade. Since she started school, she has been on the “A” Honor Roll and a member of the Miller Freedom Club. Amiah says the Club has helped her in diverse ways, such as in expressing her performing arts talent, particularly as a founding member of the Club’s Freedom Choral Group, how to knit and how to play organized sports. A happy home life (at age 12 she is the youngest of four siblings) has contributed to her accomplishments both at the Club and at YMS where Amiah cheerleads, swims and is a gymnast.

     When the Club participated in The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's "Succeed through Service program," Amiah received inspiration for a career in hotel management, even ownership! She plans to attend Yale University as the route to that goal. We think she is a natural!   

Kylie Baker has a dream: to become a successful professional as both a basketball player and country music singer. She says the Miller Boys & Girls Club Smart Girls program is helping her toward that goal in by showing her how to be a leader, how to make good decisions and how a person’s behavior affects others. A fifth grader at Yulee Elementary, Kylie values the time she spends in Learning Zone at the Club improving her vocabulary and reading skills. At home, Kylie tries to be a positive role model for her two younger sisters.

    At the Club, Kylie spends much time helping younger members, particularly in Computer Lab. At age 10, she has ample time to plan for further education and career objectives but Kylie seems assured of success.  

At age 10 and in fifth grade at Yulee Elementary, Hunter Mooney is a young man with a goal. He wants to own and operate the finest exotic car dealership in Florida! His dad is involved in Volkswagen sales so that may be a factor. But Hunter doesn’t let his design for the future obscure his desire to achieve in the present. He earns A-B Honor Roll at school and is one of the most helpful members of the Miller Freedom Club. Hunter credits the Club with teaching him new skills in both athletics and academics. He learns new words in the Learning Zone and types better through practice in the Computer Lab.

     Fascinated with science at school and fond of reading, Hunter displays the talents that go with lifetime success. 

Grace Goshert is cheerful fourth grader at Yulee Elementary School where she earns a place on the A Honor Roll. At the Miller Club, Grace has met many kids who are now her best friends. She credits BGC club programs like SMART GIRLS and the BGC Club staff with teaching her how to make good choices, resolve disagreements (particularly with her two brothers) and communicate better with people. This nine-year-old is quick to help the BGC Club staff with set-up and clean up involved in programs. She also has been an enthusiastic participant in YMCA basketball.

     Grace is idealistic and wants to help people live together in peace. Therefore, she looks forward to a career in either teaching or journalism to reach that goal. With Grace’s attitude and motivation, future success seems assured!   

Sean Smith is a sixth grader at Fernandina Middle School where he excels at math and consistently achieves A-B Honor Roll. But this 11-year-old youngster also has overcome tragedy in his life when his mom passed away last year. Sean credits the Miller Freedom Club staff and his fellow Club members with much-needed comfort and support, and he too has learned to help others who face loss. Sean has developed into a leader among Club members and shows a heart for service to the staff.

     Two Club programs that Sean cites as particularly important to him are SMART KIDS which helped him learn to make good choices, and JUNIOR ENGINEERS which lead to his goal of a career in technology. Sean will make a fine engineer!     

Jeremiah has been a member of the Miller Club for five years. Now in fifth grade at Yulee Elementary, this 11-year-old young man made a positive impact at the Club from the day he enrolled. He takes great pleasure in helping the Club staff in any way possible. Jeremiah credits the Club with his learning to speak Spanish and with how to treat others with respect. He is a remarkable athlete, proud of being one of the fastest runners at his school, yet maintains an A-B Honor Roll status. He hopes to attend University of Florida some day for training in law enforcement. Jeremiah sees that career as the best way of helping people. We wish him every success. He would be a great cop!  

Abby is a model “nice kid” with the motivation and intelligence to succeed in school. She is placed in the “gifted” program and “A” Honor Roll in 4th grade at Emma Love Hardy Elementary. Abby credits the Miller Club with helping her do better in all her classes but especially math. At home, this 10-year-old helps her mom clean and cook dinner. She understands the importance of being a positive role model for her younger brother. Abby is very active at the Club: a founding member of the Freedom Choral Group and participates in Drama Club, SMART Girls and SMART Kids – as well as helping younger members with homework during Power Hour. She aspires to enroll in a performing arts program in college and become a professional singer. We know Abby will make it!

Julie credits the Miller Freedom Club with enabling her to boost her academic performance in school so that this 5th grader regularly makes A-B Honor Roll at Emma Love Hardee Elementary. In addition, she believes the Club has helped her to know and respect others and her self, too. Julie puts that into practice by tutoring younger Club members, by participating the Club’s SMART GIRLS and Top Tomatoes programs, and by volunteering in community and school projects. She was awarded 2nd place prize in the Club’s Freedom Essay Contest. Julie loves the performing arts and one of her goals is to join her school’s band. At age 11, Julie has a well-formed ambition to attend Boston University and become a veterinarian. Her pathway to success seems assured.  

Kyler displays the characteristics of an ideal young man. In 5th grade at Emma Love Hardy Elementary, he is an “A” Honor Roll student, excelling in math, science and writing. He participates in school fund-raising projects and, when at the Club, helps younger kids with homework during Power Hour. He took third place in the recent Freedom Essay Contest. Kyler credits the Club with improving his scholastic skills and with helping him learn how to be polite to others – plus, most significantly, has given him the inspiration to succeed. Although just age 11, Kyler expresses a mature vision of his future: that of inspiring youth in a teaching role, both in scholastics and sports. His intelligence, motivation and willingness to learn will ensure that Kyler reaches his future goals.

Samuel is a multi-faceted 11-year-old, equally at home on the gridiron, in a chorus, in the classroom or on the lectern. An “A” Honor Roll student in 5th grade at Emma Love Hardy Elementary and on the school safety patrol, Samuel is an outstanding member of the Miller Club. He participates in the Freedom Choral Group, frequently helps younger members with schoolwork, plays on both the Club’s football and basketball teams, and looks for opportunities to help staff with chores. Samuel’s skill in public speaking mirrors his dad, the pastor of Impact Your World Church.  As a student, he is particularly interested in ancient history and Greek mythology.  Samuel plans a career in pro football and in music. His path to success seems assured!