Within the span of three short years, everything in Aaron’s life changed. At the age of ten, Aaron lost her mother to a terminal illness. With few coping resources to help her deal with something of that magnitude, it did not take long for depression to sink in. Shortly after her mother’s death, Aaron’s father uprooted his four children and moved to Denver for a fresh start and new opportunities. This transition also marked the end of her home school era when Aaron and her siblings were enrolled in public school. Aaron began seventh grade in a different school environment in a new city with no friends.
Depressed and lonely, it was not until Aaron found the Johnson Boys & Girls Club that her life in Denver started to improve.
“Before I started going to the Boys & Girls Clubs, I was taught to never trust strangers,” said Aaron. “And yet from day one at the Club, in this strange building filled with complete strangers, the staff actually cared about me. They helped me realize that I was worth it and that I was not the only one who had bad things happen to them in life.”
Now, five years later, Aaron looks forward to going to the Club every day. It is the one place that she knows she can go and not be judged. The Club has helped Aaron cope with her losses and overcome her depression. Now, she participates in a plethora of programs that are helping her excel in school, develop leadership skills and explore future options.
Aaron is wildly passionate about many topics. Striking a chord deep within her heart, perhaps her main passion is promoting equality. Aaron has been a victim of bullying and has experienced what it feels like to be isolated and judged. These tough experiences have motivated her to advocate for equal rights. Aaron uses her role as a Peer Leader at the Club to encourage her fellow Club members to treat each other with respect. “It is important to celebrate people that are different from you,” said Aaron. “I teach the younger Club members to have acceptance and tolerance for all people.” Seeing the ripple effect of these lessons and how the Club members interact with one another is one of the most rewarding experiences for Aaron.
Just one conversation with Aaron makes it immediately evident that she is poised and fit for the stage. What better place to take her first steps on stage than at the Club! Aaron got her feet wet in the acting world when she played the Cowardly Lion in the Club’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Aaron then played the Snow Queen in a play adapted from the movie Frozen. In spite of her apparent confidence on stage, she admits that her hands clench when she looks out into the audience before the curtain rises. When the nerves sink in Aaron said, “I usually start jumping around to try and shake the nerves away. Then I find a spot that I can sit up high and strike a ‘boss pose’ to assert a sense of confidence.”
Throughout Aaron’s childhood, her mind has been shaped from a myriad of educational outlets. Her academic foundation was built by her father, who home-schooled Aaron until she was 13. Aaron then started attending public school where she was exposed to different teaching styles and social scenes. Now, as a junior in high school, Aaron is tackling college classes and she often turns to the Club’s Learning Center to get homework help and stay ahead of the curve. She is currently exploring her future options, which she hopes will include a college education, work and travel. “I want to be sure that I am passionate about what I choose to pursue in my studies,” said Aaron. “You can learn a lot through trial and error and seeking different life experiences.”
Aaron never hesitates to lend a helping hand in the Learning Center – one of her favorite rooms in the Club. Tessa, the Club’s Education Specialist, has had a tremendous impact on Aaron as a mentor, educator and accepting friend who has created a safe space for all Club members.
“Kids need a place to turn to where people care. And for me, that place is the Boys & Girls Club,” said Aaron. “It is clear that the Club staff is here because they truly want to spark a change.”
Inspired by the staff, Aaron mentors younger Club members in the Learning Center and helps them with their reading and homework. Aaron’s dedication and hard work helped her become the Johnson Club’s 2016 Senior Youth of the Year winner.