Miller Freedom Center
942259 Old Nassauville Road
Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034
(904) 261-1075
Boys & Girls Clubs Miller Freedom Center Essay Contest
Members of the Miller Freedom Club were recently invited to participate in the Freedom Essay Contest. Participants were to write an essay that answers the question, "What is freedom?"Inspiration for the contest came from David F. Miller, Sr., and was administered by Unit Director Jamie Thompson and Program Director Sherryl Smith of the Miller Freedom Center.
And the winner is… Elise Sancey! The impressive 10-year-old turned in an amazing work. Click here to read her essay
Even at age 13 and in 8th grade at Yulee Middle School, Blake displays the skills and attitudes that lead to success in life. Words that describe him are: hardworking, focused, compassionate, honest, positive, self-starter. Blake does well in school, particularly in math and arts classes. He reaches out to others with encouragement and takes a leadership role in Miller Club projects such as the Canned Food Drive and the Car Wash. His younger sister is also a Club member. Blake makes sure every day that she completes her school assignments. And he participates in football, baseball and track as well. After college, Blake aspires to a career as an architect. There is nothing that will hold him back from that goal!
Tessa is a great example of the change in perspective that membership in Boys & Girls Clubs can provide to young people. She is in 9th grade at Yulee High School, age 14 and the oldest child of seven in her family. As an honor student enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, her performance in school is outstanding. She is a role model for her siblings. But Tessa rarely, if ever, thought about becoming active in projects to help others or her community. Since joining the Miller Club, Tessa has volunteered to raise funds for school cheer-leading, participated in a mini-fair, worked on several Club projects and become a member of YHS Beta Club. She is always there when her siblings or Club members need help. After college, Tessa’s goal is to become a Forensic Pathologist. With her positive attitude, nothing stands in the way of Tessa’s success in life and career. 
Wykel is the kind of boy that other youngsters look up to. He does well in 8th grade at Fernandina Beach Middle School. He participates in all Club activities, such as Sports Club, Brain Candy and Game Room Tournaments, and is active in his church’s projects for young people. But best of all, this 14 year-old interacts positively with other Club members and serves as a role model for younger kids. Wykel’s skill in basketball, playing on the FBMS team, leads to his ambition to finish college and play professional ball. Thereafter he envisions a career in sports management, perhaps even as a pro team owner. With his attitude and talent, Wykel is already launched in the right path to achieve his goals. Watch the sports news in a few years for Wykel Glover!
When Victor White first joined the Club he was so shy that he hardly spoke to anyone, staff or students. But that is all in the past and, with membership in the Club, he has become a self-confident, outspoken 7th grader at Yulee Middle School. At age 13, Victor is a role model for his younger brother, and has participated in the Barnabas food drive and Torch Club car wash, in community projects for Haitian earthquake victims and neighborhood clean-up, sports programs and the new In Search of Me Café program for teens. With his A/B performance in school and basketball skills, he aspires to a sports scholarship in college and a career in professional sports. The sky’s the limit for Victor!
Andrew Lee is a young man whose path to success in life looks to be assured. A mature 6th grader at Yulee Middle School with a desire to help out whenever a need arises. He shows that interest in others by volunteering at the Club, doing chores at home and assisting younger Club members. Andrew is a natural leader who also does well in school, particularly in reading, math and science. After completing his high school studies, Andrew wishes to pursue a career in law enforcement. His leadership abilities bode well for Andrew’s future.
Marcel is a young man in the 6th grade of Fernandina Middle School whose features are a sure indication of a Netherlands heritage even if you didn’t know his name. At age eleven, he shows a mature ability to lead by example and to initiate positive actions. Marcel volunteers to help other B&G Club members, has organized his own lawn service, volunteers at school to clean up classrooms and serves on the FBMS yearbook staff. His dedication at the B&G Club is outstanding where he is President of the Torch Club. Excelling in science and art at school, Marcel intends to attend Yale University after high school and aspires to a career in technology. The Miller Club applauds his accomplishments to date and his future goals.
Taniqua is a mature young woman attending the 8th grade at Yulee Middle School. Her greatest pleasure comes from helping others and she tries to be a helper to all sorts of people with whom she comes in contact. On that list are family members, including younger siblings, staff and other members of the Miller Club, friends, neighbors and the elderly folks she sees when visiting them with her church group. Her favorite subject in school is Language Arts and she understands the importance of communicating well. So it is not surprising that she aspires to be a teacher, preferably in elementary school. Taniqua can surely achieve her goal through her demonstrated ability to focus and work hard.
Lauren is a bright, quiet, compassionate youngster who attends Yulee High School in the 9th grade. She displays maturity that belies her age of 15, and is always cheerfully helpful to Miller Club staff, younger Club members and her family. Lauren has theatrical talent, too, and is involved in the YHS Musical Theater production of “I Am a Star”. But her outstanding characteristic is caring for others. She participates monthly in the “Interfaith Dinner Network” at Hope House in Fernandina, feeding the homeless. Lauren’s aspiration is to become a Registered Nurse and she plans to work for that degree in college. She should be outstandingly successful in a nursing career!
Jordan Warner is a husky, self-confident student in the 6th grade at Yulee Middle School, where he excels at math and physical education. This 12 year-old builds friendships readily and values the support he receives from family and the Miller Club Staff. In turn, he is always helpful to Staff and willing to work with younger Club members. As a result of his positive attitude, he has been chosen as a member of the BGC Teen Court Program. Jordan's ambition is to be an entrepreneur in future years but first to participate in college football. Then who knows, he might play in the NFL! Success seems assured for this outstanding young man.
Tyrice Alderman is a strapping 14 year-old in the 8th Grade at Yulee Middle School.It is easy to see why he excels at football and is a member of the YMS football team. But his athleticism is not all that stands out about this young man. He is a Junior Staff Leader at the Club and is quick to help and encourage younger Club members. Tyrice credits his parents for his positive attitude and refusal to accept failure. They urge him to set goals for success. Animals and football are the two avocations in this young man’s life. After high school, Tyrice hopes to play football in college and aspires to a career in the NFL. But if that goal proves unreachable, he will be happy to work with animals – perhaps as a zookeeper.
Calia Coleman is an asset at the Miller Club. This 13 year-old attends Yulee Middle School in the 6th Grade, and has demonstrated excellent social and leadership skills. She works closely with the Club Staff and been appointed a Junior Staff Leader. Her position as role model for younger Club membersis evident in her membership in the Torch Club and Smart Girls, and was specifically cited in the Sports, Fitness and Recreation program at the Club. Calia is fun to be around and loves to dance, sing and, when possible, to dine out. When Calia completes high school, her ambition is to become a medical professional.
O’jonit attends 8th grade at Fernandina Middle School. This talented 14 year-old plays clarinet, is skilled as an artist, likes to sing and dance, and excels at sports. Her helpfulness to Staff and other Club members is shown by her role as Junior Staff Leader and membership in the Keystone Club and Smart Girls. She was recognized by the Coaching Staff as displaying special sportsmanship and as positive role model for other youngsters. But O’jonit has a passion for cars and wants to train for a career in automotive mechanics when her high school days are complete.
As an 8th grader at Yulee Middle School, Tessa displays a maturity that belies her 13 year age. She is Junior Leader at the Miller Club and a great asset to the Miller Staff as a willing volunteer and role model. Tessa does well in math and science at YMS, makes friends easily, and is a versatile musician as well as active in several sports. She excelled in a Club service project by representing Miller Boys & Girls Club at a local fund raiser. Tessa sets her sights high by aiming at a career in medicine with a goal of becoming a cardiac surgeon.
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The Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County's Miller Freedom Center has enjoyed another successful year in 2010, as evidenced by this slideshow. Many events and programs taking place at the Miller Club are remembered, as are the great staff and volunteers, all led by Unit Director Jamie Thompson.
School Days: 2:30 pm - 7:30 pm
School Holidays: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Summer Camp: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Members: 400+
Kids Daily: 200+
Click on the respective day for more information.
Schedule is subject to change without notice.
"Kids are the future of our community!"