MSI PR Helps Spread the Word about Inspiring Teen Nominees in the 2014 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards

The MSI PR team has been helping to spread the word about five incredible teenagers who have been nominated for the Maytag Dependable Leader Awards. As part of a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and the Maytag brand, the Dependable Leader Awards recognize Boys & Girls Club members who are committed to making a difference as dependable and exceptional role models.

Through Friday, September 19^th, people can learn more about each of the five teens who are in the running for the award and vote for the finalist of their choice at www.dependableleaders.com.

The winner will receive a $50,000 grant, of which, $20,000 will go to them in the form of a scholarship; and the remaining $30,000 will help his/her Club provide educational assistance for Club members and/or staff.

Here’s a quick look at the five finalists and some of the media coverage we’ve secured about their amazing stories:

1. Brian Juarez, Age 17, Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, Los Angeles, Calif. – As part of the Boys & Girls Club’s national Teen Suicide Awareness Project, Brian shared his battle with depression in his Club’s Public Service Announcement, “Start the Story”. A bit of a shy guy, Brian’s come out of his shell since joining the Club three years ago. When the Club’s purse strings got tight, Brian stepped up and offered to help the new Executive Director, Chantez Pratts, as her volunteer Executive Assistant – one of the most important roles at the Club.
2. Rebekah Koen, Age 18, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, Birmingham, Ala. — Rebekah is a volunteer Counselor in Training at her Club.  Despite her own struggles with homelessness, Rebekah saw pre-teen girls struggling with their image and self-confidence so she created “Girl Talk,” a program designed to give girls ages 11-14 a forum to share their feelings and get support from their peers. She also serves as a member of the Keystone Club, a group of teenagers who serve their community by working to make their community a cleaner, safer and a better place to live. Rebekah in the News:
   1. The Birmingham News shared this spotlight on Rebekah’s contributions to the community on Friday, 9/12.
   2. The North Jefferson News ran an article about Rebekah’s nomination on Monday, 9/8.
   3. The Birmingham Times ran this piece on her story on Thursday, 9/11.
3. Billy Narvaez, Age 17, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Bridgeport, Conn. — Gifted in math and science, Billy developed the Future Engineers Club to give members fun, hands-on activities that just might spark their interest in engineering and physics so that they, like him, will strive for bigger things beyond what they see in Bridgeport. Billy not only runs the Saturday Film School and Future Engineers Club, but he funds these programs out of his own pocket, illustrating to younger members another way of giving back to the community. Billy in the News:
   1. News 12 Connecticut aired these two segments about Billy’s story a total of 44 times
      1. News 12 Connecticut segment 1
      2. News 12 Connecticut segment 2
   2. Numerous online outlets have also covered Billy’s story, such as:
      1. The Bridgeport News
      2. Only in Bridgeport
      3. Education Bridgeport
      4. Norwalk’s Hamlethub
4. Ruby Smith, Age 16, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind. — Ruby wrote and received a grant to create and implement a literacy program called “Look In a Book” in which teen members teach literacy skills to members aged 5- 10. Teens read aloud to small or whole groups of young members, helping them begin their literacy development by building vocabulary and comprehension skills. The goal of the program was to help them pass the English Language Arts portion of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress. All 2013 participating members passed the exam and progressed to the next grade level. Ruby in the News:
   1. Ruby’s segment on the local ABC affiliate (WRTV-TV) aired a total of four times – twice on Tuesday, 9/9 as part of the Evening News and twice on Wednesday, 9/10 as part of the Morning News
   2. Her nomination was also covered on the Indianapolis NBC affiliate (WTHR-TV).
   3. On 9/8, the CBS affiliate (WISH-TV) posted an article about Ruby’s nomination with details about her contributions and voting instructions, and then on 9/17, WISH-TV aired an interview segment of Ruby three times throughout the duration of its “Daybreak” morning show as well as posted an accompanying article online.
   4. The Indianapolis Star ran an article on her nomination.
5. Jhacori Stacy, Age 16, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus, Ga. – Jhacori is the creator of the project, “Food, Food, Everywhere but not a drop to Eat,” which shed light on the struggles of families/individuals that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The project introduced SODEXO employees at Total System to families/individuals who live in public housing and formed a relationship that has lasted for two years and counting. Every Friday since April 2012, 50-60 families/individuals have been coming to Jhacori’s house to receive meals. Jhacori in the News:
   1. His story was featured in a segment on WRBL-TV on 9/16.
   2. An article about Jhacori’s story ran in the 9/6 print issue of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. The story also ran online and can be viewed here.
   3. On Tuesday, 9/9, Jhacori appeared on The Dee Armstrong Show on Columbus’s NBC affiliate.
   4. On Wednesday, 9/10, Jhacori went in-studio with Columbus radio station Truth 88.5 (WBOJ-FM) for an on-air interview.

We’re excited to help share these incredible stories and can’t wait to see who is selected as the winner of the $50,000 prize!