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A MESSAGE FROM JACQUELINE:
Having worked until recently in the nonprofit field both locally and abroad, my involvement with the Greatest Kids event is a welcome return to familiar turf, though in a different role. I’m honored to be part of a community that takes care of its own and am personally passionate about finding new ways we can empower one another, especially women, to thrive.
But it’s not my story I’m here to tell—it’s Laylaa’s. When this impressive young lady isn’t at the Boys & Girls Club, she’s at tennis practice or a National Honors Society meeting, working at Martin’s, or volunteering with the Relay for Life or rescuing animals. You’d think she wouldn’t have time for homework with all that going on, but she somehow manages to earn top marks in the honors courses she’s enrolled in at Mishawaka High School as well.
At seventeen, she’s overcome adversity with a tenacity she learned from her parents—her mom fought and beat breast cancer when Laylaa was in kindergarten. Taking care of two younger sisters during this ordeal meant learning earlier than usual to manage a household, something she did with poise while setting her sights on becoming a pediatrician to one day help families the way doctors helped hers.
As a Muslim in America, Laylaa found her childhood turned upside down in 2001. In the wake of our country’s tragedy, she became a target of prejudice and animosity from classmates and even teachers.
That’s when she found the Boys & Girls Club—right away she jumped into a volunteer role there and was welcomed for the content of her character. Now as she campaigns for the national Youth of the Year competition, help us rally support to give her momentum and also raise critical operating funds so that other children have opportunities like Laylaa has to develop into our future leaders.
Thank you so much for your support of this most worthy cause.
