Meet Ra'Shanique R.

Teen awarded Clubs' first Braden Scholarship

Meet Ra’Shanique R., our first Braden Scholar.

She moved to Toledo from Cleveland in 2019 and began her high school studies at Scott. She participated in the dance team and became a member of the National Honors Society.

At school, she heard about the Boys & Girls Clubs and became a member of the Homer Hanham Club and began volunteering as a way to get service hours for the National Honor Society. About a month later, she was hired as a TEC Teen at the Club. She also is a Keystone member.

While working as a TEC Teen, she has manned the coat check, disinfected chairs and tables, packed and served lunches and snacks, and practiced running programs. Her most memorable experiences include going to Cedar Point and giving Olympic bronze-medalist boxer and Toledo native Oshae Jones a tour of the Club.

Ra’Shanique also volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and assists other Club members with their homework.

At the 2022 Awards Night, the Homer Hanham Club recognized her with the Gunckel Award for her service to the Club and its members.

When the pandemic started, Ra’Shanique transferred to Ohio Virtual Academy and graduated from there this spring.

She plans to attend Owens Community College this fall for an associate degree before transferring to a four-year college.

The Braden Scholarship is awarded to a club member who is beginning their career through an associate degree.