Nasthasia and Jasmine are best friends who met at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens. Both teens wanted to be the first in their family to go to college and both teens wanted to do everything possible to try to achieve their dreams. During their journey, their Club helped them see new opportunities for life after high school, taking them on university tours, and guiding them through the sometimes complex college application process.

Ultimately, after a lot of hard work and dedication, Nasthasia and Jasmine were both accepted to Buffalo State College in New York – and are planning to room together in the freshman dorms. A friendship that began as kids afterschool, is now taking these two young adults in to the next phase of their journey to a great future.

At their Club, Nasthasia and Jasmine will participate in College Signing Day, an initiative launched by Former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2014 to celebrate young people achieving this significant milestone. As part of the Former First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative, this campaign is aimed to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.

Boys & Girls Clubs across the globe are committed to ensuring teens are on track to graduate high school with a plan for the future. In fact, every year, 45,000 Club teens graduate out of the Club and participate in induction ceremonies that mark their transition from Club kid to Club alum. Young people embark on their next milestone moment, whether it is college, career or military service, thanks to the help and support from mentors and Club staff that have helped them along the way.

Many Clubs, like Nasthasia and Jasmine’s Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, also provide an incredible forum, for young Club alum to come back and share with current Club their college or career experiences.

We know when young people stay connected to the Club throughout their youth, they can achieve incredible things. Join us in congratulating the entire Class of 2019 as they move forward with their career or education on #CollegeSigningDay.


To see Club teens and youth from around the country share their commitments and amplify their voice on College Signing Day, follow #BGCmade, #CollegeSigningDay and #BetterMakeRoom