Bre D. King: Youth of the Year 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is honored to introduce our 2020 Youth of the Year—Bre, an 11-year student-member who epitomizes the intended results of our mission—to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Currently carrying a 3.39 GPA, Bre will graduate from high school this June, 2020 with aspirations of matriculating to Puget Sound University, and ultimately to become a lawyer.
Bre is versatile, venturesome, and quite the accomplished musician. She plays both the bass and the saxophone, and is quite the jazz aficionado. She is a student who enjoys teaching others about jazz and classical music and, to that end she serves as a volunteer tutor at Jazz Camp.
Looking back over her years of engagement in BGCO’s 3 dozen youth development programs, Bre fondly recalls that “I have been a Club member since the age of seven.” “The staff at Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland are the type of people who genuinely understand and get kids and teens.” “There was always someone that I could relate to, or go to for help or advice.” “My attitude toward learning and school changed.”
“The Boys & Girls Club will forever be my second home. Even if the staff, interior, or exterior changes are made, my memories and gratitude will forever remain the same.”
Bre, one of eight lucky BGCO student-members who earned an opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to visit to the island nation of Taiwan in summer, 2018, “due to an amazing donor and the Club, I spent an amazing week in Taipei with my fellow Keystone Club members.” “This was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life.” “Traveling across the world with my fellow
Club members will forever be one of those memories I’ll never forget, and I have the Club to thank for that!”
With an eye to the future, Bre asserts further that “I find a way to see an opportunity or possibility in situations that, at times are insurmountable.” “My practicing characteristic of optimism will surely allow me to get through any challenging times.” “As an African American young lady who grew up in the Club, I can honestly say the Boys & Girls Club has helped me through this process called life.” “In the near future, using all the tools and experiences from both school and the Boys & Girls Club, I will attend college and pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer.”
Bre’s pathway to Youth of the Year status was paved with awards and honors earned, and services rendered such as: African American Honor Roll (school); Award of Excellence (Oakland Spirit Orchestra); Youth of the Month (BGCO); Keystone Club Secretary (BGCO - current); Junior Staff at BGCO; Teen Staff at Summer Jazz Camp (Oakland). “I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by some great people in the Club, School, and in the neighborhood, each of whom have taught me that I can master my fate, regardless of how low or high the glass ceiling is. I think that’s amazing and liberating”, says Bre.
Please join us in congratulating Bre for all that she has achieved thus far on her life’s journey, the earning of the highest honor that Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland bestows upon a student member included—the outstanding Youth of the Year for 2020.
“Bre is a natural leader who aspires to become a lawyer. Her leadership skills are among her most notable traits; her willingness to help others, and her kind demeanor are infectious.”
“One of Bre’s most admirable traits is the grit she displays when working through a struggle. Her efforts have been noticed and respected by myself and other members of our faculty.”
The Youth of the Year program celebrates 14 to 18 year-old student-members’ outstanding contributions to their family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, recognizing their academic excellence; moral character; life goals; poise and public speaking; along with the personal challenges and obstacles they’ve overcome. Historically, Boys & Girls Clubs’ Regional winners have been honored at a Congressional Breakfast each fall; had a chance to meet the President of the United States in the White House; and earned substantial college scholarship assistance in the process.