Deidre Belinfanti, 17, a longtime member of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (BGCM) Asbury Park Unit has been granted early admission to her dream school, Howard University located in Washington, D.C.

After visiting Howard University with the Club during her sophomore year of high school, Deidre fell in love with Howard and made it her top choice. Aside from being granted early admission, Deidre is the recipient of Howard University’s Legacy Scholarship, which covers university tuition and fees, and is awarded to incoming freshman who have excelled academically.  Isiah Jones, Unit Director at the BGCM’s Asbury Park Unit, says Deidre is, “dedicated, reliable, and always shows initiative. She is a hard worker, and I think her early acceptance is a testament to that.”

Deidre, who has been coming to the Club since she was 9 years old, has been involved with a number of the Club’s programs over the years.  She has been enrolled in both the Summer Day Camp and Childcare programs and enthusiastically participated in the Keystone and College Bound programs. Notably, Deidre became Keystone vice president and attended a national and regional Keystone conference.  Jones says Deidre’s active participation in the Keystone program “broadened her horizons and helped her see beyond Asbury Park by exposing her to other Keystoner’s around the country.”

Deidre will graduate from Asbury Park High School in June 2012. She plans to double major in psychology and social work during her time at Howard University and aspires to be a social worker focusing on foster care.

For more information about BGCM’s education programs, call 732-775-7862. 

Continue Reading

Catch Up with the Club