Abbeville student wins Acadiana’s Boys & Girls Club youth award

After being named Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana “Youth of the Year,” Bre’Jai Robertson of Abbeville has the opportunity for the state honor.
For Robertson, 18, who is a senior at Abbeville High School, the greatest opportunity is simply the one the Boys & Girls Club has provided her. Robertson spoke to the Abbeville Kiwanis Club Tuesday, telling members what the Boys & Girls Club has meant to her.
“Over the past nine years of my life,” Robertson said, “many trials and tribulations (have) blocked the entrance to all doors that were opened to me. However, the Boys & Girls Club has been that inspiration I needed every morning to wake up and every night to fall asleep knowing there were things to get accomplished the following day.”
Robertson will try to accomplish being named the Louisiana Boys & Girls Club “Youth of the Year” later this month. She will compete for that honor on March 30 and 31 in Baton Rouge. She won the Acadiana honor last month at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette.
“She will represent Abbeville well,” said Roland Levine, director of the Boys & Girls Club Rodney Unit in Abbeville. “We are very proud of Bre’Jai’s accomplishments in the club, at school and her leadership in the community.
“We wish her the best of luck at the state level.”
Whatever the outcome, she is prepared because of what she has learned at the local club.
“The Boys & Girls Club gave me the guidance that was necessary,” Robertson said, “to continue in the right direction, faith that will never fail me unless I fail myself, wisdom to vow to myself never to give up and I have what it takes, and last but not least, an advantage that most will not come across.
“The Boys and Girls Club was an opportunity, a door open, and it has an impact on my life.”
Through school, her after-school job and every thing that she does going forward. That includes going to the University of Louisiana at Monroe on the way to becoming a cardiologist.
“As an upcoming 2015 graduate of Abbeville High School and a proud employee of Winn Dixie Company,” Robertson said, “I thank everyone who is part of the Boys & Girls Club who has made my dreams come true and blessed me with all the qualities and values that make me who I am today.
“Without the Boys & Girls Club I would not be the proud young lady I am today.”
Robertson said she is pleased to know that many have the same opportunity because of the club.
“I am truly grateful, honored and blessed,” she said, “to have an organization so dedicated to their members and willing to nurture us, explore and expand our future.
“There are not enough words and expressions to say how blessed and grateful I am to be a part of the Boys & Girls Club family.”