Investing in difference makers

The Boys and Girls Club of North Louisiana recently shifted into celebration gear thanks to a surprise award presentation for one of its very own.

The organization hosted a signing ceremony for AunDra Lacey to officially join the elite Call Me MISTER educator development program at Grambling State University.

“AunDra is one of our AmeriCorps staff members,” said Janet Wilson, director of development for the Boys and Girls Club. “He’s been with us a long time. That’s what makes all of this extra special.”

As Lacey entered the facility’s gymnasium amidst a deafening roar from the youngsters assembled, the weight of the moment would only grow as Call Me MISTER Director George Noflin announced a surprise for the Lacey family and the true reason for the occasion: the program would be extending a full-ride GSU scholarship to Lacey.

“What we’re doing today is very, very special,” Noflin said. “Because this is a young man that has been in the Boys and Girls Club for a long, long time. He’s been right where you are.”

Call Me MISTER is a nationwide program, founded at Clemson University, that seeks to increase the proportionally dismal number of African American males in the teaching profession. Just some 2% of U.S. teachers are Black men.

GSU and the other 18 colleges in the program are striving to boost that statistic by recruiting, aiding and equipping young Black educators.

“At Grambling, we are giving (Lacey) a full scholarship to come get an education and be part of the Call Me MISTER program,” Noflin explained. “This will cover tuition, room and board, travel to conferences and whatever other expenses he may have. It’s a full ride.”

With the scholarship announcement, Lacey’s mother, La-Tonya, erupted into tears over her son’s good fortune. With no idea the scholarship was coming, she found herself reveling in the blessings of the day. First was the full ride to college. However, a close second quickly became obvious.

“Oh my, I just thought they were going to honor AunDra,” she said. “I had no earthly idea about the scholarship. So I was completely unprepared and am in shock. This is such a blessing, such a huge, huge blessing. I’m so excited that he’s going into education because the kids are our future.

To have a young, Black male commit to impacting these kids it such a huge deal. I’m so proud of the young man that he is.”

It was at the Boys and Girls Club that Lacey’s love for working with children began. Walking in and seeing all the children celebrating him was almost more than he could absorb.

“This is just unbelievable,” he said. “ I could have never believed this. It hasn’t sunk in yet but I’m ready to give back.”

Noflin said it was important to treat the occasion just like a signing day for a star athlete. He emphasized the importance of Lacey’s committing ot education and making a difference in the lives of young people.

He said the best of the best are in the GSU program, and standards are set high.

“The first ‘mister’ that graduated from Tech, from the state of Louisiana, was Teacher of the Year this year at his school,” Noflin added. “He was also Teacher of the Year for the district. That standard is set high. When you go in, you’re expected to be Teacher of the Year.”

With the newest “Mister” clearly overwhelmed with seeing his dream come true and not a dry eye in the room, the day also highlighted an important lesson for the club’s current students.

“This is an awesome thing for AunDra, an amazing accomplishment and achievement,” Boys and Girls Club CEO Eldonta’ Osborne pointed out. “ But what we want you to walk away with is that this could easily be any one of you. Scholarships are not just for athletes. There are all kinds of scholarships out there. So whatever dreams are there for you to pursue, it is possible. If you work hard like AunDra, it could happen. And then we will celebrate you too.”