We develop the next generation of leaders at the Y! Last year, Zach Hinton was featured in this
article by Stacy Chandler in the News & Observer's Thumbs Up section. The
Clarence E. Lightner YMCA Achievers Program is a leadership development program
for area middle and high school teens.
Zachary Hinton graduated from Southeast Raleigh High School
last year with a number of academic scholarships and big dreams. He credits the
Lightner Y Achievers program.
During his four years in the local Lightner YMCA Achievers
Program, Zach met community leaders, traveled to regional colleges and polished
his interview skills.
"It's a program that tries to help a minority kid to
make it in the global arena," he explained. "I thought that was
really cool, to see someone that looks like me and they were doing well in
society," Zach said.
Along the way, he also learned a thing or two about
leadership while serving as the chapter's president. Zach was selected for a
national YMCA Five-Star Ambassador Award, which came with a $10,000
scholarship.
Zach just finished his freshman year at Hampton University
in Virginia. He sent one of his Lightner Y Achievers advisors this update.
“I just wanted to update you on a few of the activities I've
been doing here at Hampton University,” wrote Zach.
“I earned a 4.03 GPA which allows me to be a part of the
Hampton University Honors College. I just received acceptance for an internship
in robotics at Rice University in Texas. The internship is all expenses paid,
and I will receive a stipend at the end. So, I am basically living the life!
I would like to thank you not only for the scholarships
(that have helped me greatly), but also for continuing the Y Achievers program.
I really appreciate what all of the Y Achievers volunteers have done for me. I
am very excited another student can also fulfill their dreams through this
program.”
In 2010, the YMCA of Triangle Y Achievers Program and the
Clarence E. Lightner Youth Leadership Foundation joined forces. The Lightner
Foundation was founded to pay tribute to the life of Clarence E. Lightner, the
first African-American mayor of Raleigh. In continuing his positive community
efforts, the Clarence E. Lightner Leadership Endowment Fund was established to
provide leadership development programs aimed at making a positive impact on
youth throughout the Triangle region.
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