BAYLEIGH

This year I am nominating someone who I truly believe fully embodies the award of Build Safe Kids and Clubs.  I have known this individual for quite some time and have been privileged enough to see her grow into the amazing role model she is today. Bayleigh started her journey at Club as a young member who was a natural born leader to the other members.  Being young didn’t stop her from being a great example to other kids, organizing a dance Club and helping staff out in any way they needed.

It was no surprise that Bayleigh took up the role of Jr. Staff the second she was old enough.  Bayleigh was a constant ray of positivity and when difficult times struck a few years ago, she used her experiences to find strength within herself to face her challenges and run for Youth of the Year as a sophomore.  While Bayleigh did not win, she empowered many young women around her, which in turn was just as great of a prize.  In the Spring of 2021, Bayleigh made the decision to move out to the Lockwood Clubhouse and help shape the minds of a different community.  Preparing to run for Youth of the Year again, she came to me with the idea of starting a club for girls to better prepare themselves for the obstacles they would likely face in the future.  I loved this idea, as there are many girls in the Lockwood program who could really benefit from having a positive female role model in their life, and who better to fill these shoes than Bayleigh.

As the fall came around, Bayleigh turned 18 and immediately jumped into a coordinating role, a role that can be a tough one to fill, especially as a high school student. We had no doubt however, that Bayleigh would exceed expectations and were not surprised when she immediately met the many demands of coordinating with grace. Bayleigh balanced high school, Keystone Club duties, and coordinating for the primary kids, as well as starting her Young Warriors club for the intermediate girls.  When I asked Bayleigh how her first meeting of Young Warriors went, she sighed, and I could see the passion in her eyes as she exclaimed “It went so well!”

Bayleigh embodies emotional safety as she truly can’t help but make an impact in the lives around her, whether that be the staff or the members.  She handles adversity with empathy and grace, using her challenges to become stronger and braver.  The kids know that Bayleigh has their best interest in mind, and she approaches every member with the care and kindness that they may not be receiving at home.  While many are hardened by life’s trials, Bayleigh stays open and positive, and I know that any challenges she faces in the future will never be enough to take her down.  She is a force of nature and will continue to change the lives around her.

I am so proud of the woman Bayleigh is becoming and can’t help but smile at the thought of her as a Club member, not knowing what an impact she would have in her upcoming years.  Bayleigh, you have worked so hard and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving, I hope you are just as proud of yourself as we all are!