"If your goals don't scare you, they're not big enough!" That's just one nugget of golden advice shared by WNBA Star Skylar Diggins today when she delivered the keynote address for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor Rise Above luncheon at the Fettig Youth Campus in Benton Harbor.
Five time USA Basketball Gold Medalist and two time WNBA All Star Starter Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame fame became emotional several times herself as she recounted the adversity she had to overcome in her own life as she shared with 50 amazing young women in the club's SMART Girls program tips for advancing their own lives and dreams.
At the sold-out, capacity crowd luncheon, 11-year old Zaryiona Williams was presented with the 2016 SMART Girl of the Year Award. She is an extremely bright young woman who says, "I love the SMART Girls! They helped me avoid negative groups and negative thoughts." She says, "My older sister passed away, and SMART Girls helps me get through that." She has been a member of the club for two years now and is using the club to help her achieve her goals. She told the crowd she wants to go to college and be a dancer, "but, I also want to help people who have cancer."
Boys & Girls Club Board Chair Michael Todman introduced Diggins, but also noted that the club has impressed him "as a real moving force in helping to shape a better future for our young people, while also being an economic resource in our community." He applauded adults in the audience saying their support and commitment to the club "inspires us to create an environment for children and teens that is safe and fun, and a great learning lab. A place for them to explore themselves, their dreams, and a world of opportunities they might not otherwise see."
Diggins, who grew up in South Bend, was also a member of her Boys & Girls Club and encouraged the SMART Girls and others on hand to deal with adversity as she did, "By being myself…by pushing myself…and by surrounding myself with positive mentors." She said her mom called adversity life's hurdles, "because you can get over them."
The WNBA Star, now with the Dallas Wings, told the girls today that she had discovered "the importance of having strong, positive women around me. They taught me lessons I didn't even know that I needed to know."
She challenged the girls to "Just be your best. You don't have to be THE best…just YOUR best. You have to own your magic." She says she found her niche to be her craftiness, her decision-making, and her competitive nature, saying simply, "I want to win!" She told the young ladies today, "Try everything that you want to try. Have a positive outlook, and never say 'I can't.' Instead say 'I'll try.'"
Diggins cautioned the girls to "stay out of other people's business." She told them, "Haters are my motivators!" She also warned them never to rely on other people to push you, see how high your elevator can go on your own. "Your journey begins with a single, first step toward your goals." She thanked the SMART Girls for being "a beacon of light for the entire community."
The Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor now boasts more than 1,700 members and continues to grow. Executive Director Brian Saxton says more than 400 kids a day go to the youth campus and the teen center across from Benton Harbor High School.
Those in attendance also heard comments from Traci Burton, a club alum who just finished a special program at Harvard. Six months ago she graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Film/Video & Media Studies and now the 22 year old is a new member of the staff at the club. She joined the club 13 years ago at the age of 9 and says, "I'm living proof that the programs of this club can lead to a bright future." She has moved from member to mentor and admits "Our work here is never done, this is the place that never sleeps, and it is a safe haven."
This was the second year for both the SMART Girls Rise Above event and the SMART Girl of the Year Award. Both the SMART Girls and Ladies First programs offer young women aged 9 to 18 guidance toward healthy living and good decision making. Through dynamic sessions, group activities and field trips and mentoring opportunities with women leaders, club girls enjoy the opportunity to build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care, developing positive relationships and so much more.
In the photo above, Skylar Diggins (on the left) chats with Executive Director Brian Saxton while SMART Girl of the year Zaryiona Williams and Board Chair Mike Todman look on.
WNBA Star Skylar Diggins speaks to the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor
