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All Men are Created Equal...
...Some Just Achieve More and Look Better! |
| GENTLEMEN'S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER |
www.boys2menonline.org November 2009 |
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Dear :
This past weekend, Boys II Men celebrated its 7th year anniversary! When we started at the Quad County Urban League on November 27, 2002, we didn't know that we would grow into our own organization with chapters throughout the world. Thanks to you and our community, we have!
From those original twelve young men (whom we call The Prototypes), our Phenoms(high school members), Scholars (college members), and Super Scholars (college graduates) have shaped Boys II Men into a 'league of extraordinary gentlemen' who are shattering stereotypes and breaking barriers!
As we celebrate our seventh year, we have revised our newsletter, The Gentlemen's Quarterly, into an e-newsletter so that we can communicate with our supporters more effectively. This inaugural edition highlights just some of the achievements of the summer and first quarter of this school year. We literally had to have a lottery to select the twenty profiles that you will see below. They are just the tip of the iceberg!
From the first profile of the young man who began with us seven years ago to the last profile of the young man who turned his failures into motivation, we want to share with you a glimpse of what we experience everyday in Boys II Men. Thank you for supporting us!
Prepare to be inspired and enlightened >>>>>>> |
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THE LAST OF THE PROTOTYPES! |
 He was just in fifth grade when Boys II Men began in 2002. Of the original 12 Prototypes, he was the youngest yet one of the most astute. Now, as a Senior in high school, PROTOTYPE TAVIS GIBSON is a force to be reckoned with!
An Honor Roll student at Yorkville High School and the Executive VP of B2M, Tavis is a respected name in academics and athletics. Named as one of the Elite Players of Chicagoland, he is the three-year Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team for Yorkville. He was named to the Beacon News All-Area Team and just last week was named to the All-Area Team for the Sandwich Tournament.
He dedicates his additional time to serving his community by volunteering with B2M and his church. Next fall, he plans to major in Business Marketing and minor in Sports Management. He is being recruited by colleges throughout the nation!
When he graduates in 2010, Tavis will be the final Prototype to graduate high school. |
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PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY! |
 He is following in the footsteps of the late great Mayor Harold Washington ... and he is more than ready for the challenge!
After a grass-roots, issues-driven campaign, SCHOLAR ALEXANDER SEWELL was elected as the President of the Student Government Association at Roosevelt University in Chicago last week.
His platform of 'Conscious, Active, Leadership' inspired the students at Roosevelt University to vote for change.
"There's much work to be done, many things to accomplish! RU students, SGA will not let you down," he said after his historic victory!
Alexander is majoring in Political Science and plans to represent Illinois as a Congressman in the United States House of Representatives...and possibly even run for President of the United States of America! |
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SOCCER STAR IN SWEDEN! |
 B2M President, PHENOM JOMAR MENDOZA, made the trip of a lifetime this summer when he boarded a plane to Sweden to represent America in The Gothia Cup Soccer Competition!
The Gothia Cup drew more than 1,500 teams from around the globe to Gothenberg, Sweden. Jomar, who is also a Varsity Soccer Player for West Aurora High School, was assisted by Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and Alderman Richard Irvin to raise the funds.
Jomar, an honors student, is now fielding a host of offers from colleges and universities throughout the country. He graduates from West High in 2010.
Click Here to read the Beacon News article about Jomar's trip! |
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HISPANIC CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS SCHOLAR! |
 SCHOLAR GILBERTO CHAIDEZ (former B2M President), continues to blaze his trail of success at the University of Illinois. This fall, he was one of a handful of students from throughout the country to receive the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Scholarship.
The elite scholarships are afforded to Latino students in the United States who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities and who demonstrate a desire to continue their civic engagement in the future.
Gilberto, a 2009 graduate of West Aurora High School, was also featured on Telemundo Television as their Student of the Month! He is majoring in Civil Engineering at U of I in Champaign and continues his commitment to service as a member of the Society Hispanic Professional Engineers.
See Gilberto's television interview on Telemundo: Click Here!
Click Here to read Gilberto's story in HOY Newspaper |
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THE NATIONAL CHAMPION! |
 He has had many titles of distinction: East Aurora High School's Senior Class President, Captain of the Basketball Team, Captain of the Football Team, Captain of the Track Team, Cowherd Scholar, and Prom King. This year, he added another: National High Jump Champion!
SCHOLAR JAMARIO TAYLOR (former B2M President), beat out thousands of hopefuls with his 7'00'' high jump to earn the Championship Title. Prior to that he also earned the State Championship Title, and the Midwest Championship Title.
One of the original B2M Prototypes, Jamario attends Western Illinois University and is majoring in Elementary Education! He's aiming for the Olympics too!
Click Here to read more about Jamario's amazing journey! |
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HAMPTON GRAD IS NOW A TEACHER! |
 Life has come full circle for him and his goal to inspire others to reach their full potential is being realized everyday!
In high school, he was one of the B2M Prototypes and one of the first B2M Vice-Presidents. Today SUPER SCHOLAR ERRIN SMITH is a Special Education Teacher in Baltimore!
Errin graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in 2005 and Hampton University in Hampton, VA in 2009. At Hampton, he was crowned Mr. Blue 2009!
"My students are amazing. Each day, I can impact the future. What I learned in B2M, I apply to the lives of my students and it is working wonders" said the Super Scholar and future principal!
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SERVICE IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT! |
 One of the core principles of B2M is service! As Martin Luther King said, "We all can be great because we all can serve." Our Phenoms and Scholars understand that...and some have chosen to serve in the Armed Forces.
Former B2M Vice-President, SCHOLAR GEORGE STERLING (left), a 2009 graduate of West High, is serving on an Army ROTC Scholarship at Ball State University in Indiana. George is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
B2M Co-President, PHENOM JUAN DELATORRE (right), a junior at East Aurora High School, is the First Battalion Master Chief of the East High NJROTC, the largest unit in the USA! Juan plans to attend the US Naval Academy and become a commissioned officer in the USMC!
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FORTUNE 500 SCHOLAR! |
 He likes the number '1'! He was the first President of Boys II Men. He was the first Black male sole valedictorian of East Aurora High School. Soon, he will be the first Scholar to join a major Fortune 500 company!
When SCHOLAR JARED MARCHIANDO graduates from the University of Illinois in 2010, he will join the prestigious financial giant, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), in their Chicago offices. His major in Business/Accounting has taken him throughout the world (he is pictured here in Brazil) and provided him with internship opportunities that were priceless.
It was through his internship at PWC that executives recognized his talents and presented an offer nearly a year prior to his graduation with a salary that rivals most adults.
"I look forward to being an influence in my community and using my career to change the lives of others," said Jared, one of the B2M Prototypes.
Click Here to read about Jared's involvement in the Brilliant Futures Campaign!
Click Here to read about Jared's National Championship for Accounting! |
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OH YES, HE IS ..... MR. U OF I! |
In high school, he was a star! In college, he has surpassed even that status! A 2006 graduate of Providence-St. Mel High School in Chicago, SCHOLAR ROYAL JOHNSON was an academic powerhouse, the Homecoming King and the Prom King. This fall, he made history when he was crowned the 2009 Mr. University of Illinois!
Royel won the campus-wide competition due to his merit, service, and extreme leadership! He is the President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Tau Chapter, the VP of the NAACP Chapter at U of I, a James Scholar, a member of the Phit Eta Sigma National Honors Society, and a leader of the African-American Homecoming Committee.
Oh yes, we didn't mention that he has been on the Dean's List since his freshman year, making him the highest ranking African-American male in academics at U of I!
When he graduates in 2010, Royel will enter Columbia University Law School in New York!
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THE VOICES OF EAST AURORA! |
 All of the past male Student Board Members for East Aurora School District 131 have been B2M Phenoms: Jared Marchiando(2005), Samory Liggins(2007), and Roberto Saenz(2008)! This year, that legacy continues not with just one, but TWO Phenoms serving as Student Board Members.
East High Senior, PHENOMS SAMUEL NUNEZ (l) and IGNACIO CERVANTES (r) were selected this fall by the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools to serve as The Voices for the 14,000 students in the district!
These Phenoms hit the ground running by organizing and hosting East Aurora's first district-wide Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Over 1,000 people were in attendance at the historic event! They have plans to speak with students at each of the school district's middle schools about making good choices and staying focused!
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AUSSIE PRES. SCORES CADETSHIP! |
 He helped to usher in a new era last year when B2M expanded to its first International Chapter! SCHOLAR ALEX PEARCE leads the team of brothers in Canberra, Australia!
A charming intelligent mate with a personality as bright as his red hair and vibrant smile, Alex was recently awarded with the coveted Cadetship at the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
In Australia, a ATO Cadetship is an ultimate honor for hardworking high school students who plan to enter college and serve their country! An ATO Cadetship provides an internship with the Australian goverment and pays for college for each recipient!
Alex is also a star basketballl player with the Tuggeranong Vikings Basketball Team. They visited the USA last year. During their visit to Aurora, they met with local Phenoms and established B2M Australia!
CONGRATS TO ALEX & OUR AUSSIE BROTHERS!!
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MR. HANDSOME TAKES THE CROWN! |
He is the B2M President and the 2009 West Aurora Mr. Handsome - the Homecoming King! PHENOM JOMAR MENDOZA continues the Legacy of the Phenom Kings by being the most recent member of Boys II Men to be crowned a King.
Jomar, who is also the President of West Aurora's National Honor Society, took on his competition and wowed the judges with his charm, articulation, and talents! Two other Phenoms (Julian Barragan and Kirby Craion) were runners-up in the competition.
With a cheering section filled with Phenoms and Scholars, Jomar's on-stage presence was a sight to behold! Congratulations Mr. Handsome & Mr. President!
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A BUSINESSMAN & A BUSINESS, MAN! |
 If your name is a brand, then this Scholar is a brand name! SCHOLAR AARON WESTBROOK, a junior at Northern Illinois University, is a Dean's List student by day and energetic executive by night.
As CEO of Aaron Andrews Apparel, the Waubonsie Valley High School graduate is creating a name for himself and the graphic tees that he personally designs!
He recently headlined a young entrepreneurs workshop at a youth conference in Aurora. Find out more:
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THEY CALL HIM 'MR. EVERYTHING'! |
 "Spears has become must viewing for anyone in the area" - that is what one of his many news articles has said about him!
PHENOM LEON SPEARS is a star on the football and track fields at West High. In fact, he is such a star, the newspapers simply call him, 'Mr. Everything!"
This season, he rushed for 1,021, scored 15 touchdowns, and was named the Dupage Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year and to the All-Area Offense Team!
This amazing student-athlete is a leader at West Aurora High School and plans to attend Illinois State University in the Fall of 2010. |
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FBLA LEADER IN TAMPA! |
 When B2M kicked-off its chapter in Tampa, Florida, we knew we had the right leader....and his peers agreed.
This fall, B2M Tampa President, PHENOM ANDRE JONES, was elected as President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter for his school. Andre, an honors student on the Dean's List, is also the Captain of his track team and has performed more than 350 community service hours for the betterment of the Tampa community.
A mentor at the Boys & Girls Club, Andre will attend Tuskegee or Morehouse College and major in Accounting. |
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MORE HOPE AT MOREHOUSE! |
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"I knew I wanted to go to Morehouse when I realized that it was the Alma Mater of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." With those words, he brought his dream into reality.
B2M Vice-President, PHENOM RODNEY BOYD, is one of the most vibrant and noted leaders at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. He is a force to be reckoned with in academic, athletics, and activities. A leader of the African-American Student Association, Rodney is also a track star with a high GPA!
This fall, his dreams came true when he was accepted to the famed Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Like his hero, MLK, Rodney will undoubtedly find and give more hope at Morehouse! |
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MONKEYS AND MUSICIANS! |
Wherever something great is going on, there is a greater chance that a Phenom or a Scholar is there... even in the Whoville!
The Phenoms played key roles in East Aurora High School's Fall Musical, Seussical. The singing and dancing monkeys, PHENOM SAM NUNEZ (l) and PHENOM TAVARRIE MEEKS (r) were a big hit.
Their Phenom brothers in the music pit kept the music playing all night: (L to R) PHENOMS DIMETRI BOUCHEE, JUAN DELATORRE, JAKUB WROBEL, NATHAN ACEVEDO, and LOUIS MENDOZA!
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DISNEY'S RISING STAR! |
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A decade ago, when this young man walked into B2M Founder Clayton Muhammad's classroom at Waldo Middle School, he had a magnetic energy! A decade later, that energy is still felt by his adoring fans who know him as one of the most vibrant Radio Personalities on the airwaves! You can listen to him on Radio Disney 1300 AM in Chicago!
SUPER SCHOLAR ADAM XAVIER WELTON has 'it'! The Class of 2004 Homecoming King and Senior Class President of East Aurora High School graduated from Northwestern University in 2008...and life has never been the same.
Adam inspires countless of students as a Radio Disney host who has taken his voice from behind the radio and put it out in the schools! His presentations to classrooms, grade levels, and entire schols have gotten rave reviews throughout the area! His impact on the younger members of Boys II Men cannot be measured!
"I do believe that when we sat down to formulate Boys II Men in 2002, I had Adam Welton in mind when I came up with the definition of a Phenom," said Clayton Muhammad!
Click Here to read the Beacon News latest article about Adam and his brother, SCHOLAR JOSHUA WELTON.
Joshua will be featured in an upcoming edition of B2M's newsletter! Hold your seats!
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A CUT ABOVE THE REST! |
 He is quickly becoming the hottest young barber in Aurora and B2M is proud to call him one of our very own Scholars.
A 2009 graduate of West Aurora High School, SCHOLAR MALCOLM GRAHAM is currently enrolled in cosmetology school and is becoming a master at hair design...for men AND women!
He is one of the highest ranking students in his school and has become a successful young entrepreneur while paying for his own education!
See some of his hair artistry:
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TURNING AROUND 180 DEGREES! |
 He failed his senior year. His family didn't have faith in him. He didn't even have faith in himself. While his peers of the Class of 2008 at West High walked across the stage, he watched. Something happened during his SECOND senior year at West however....he joined Boys II Men!
SCHOLAR ALEX SANCHEZ definitely didn't fit 'the B2M mold' in terms of achievements, but he did in terms of spirit. After attending his first meeting, he publicly vowed to become a great representation of the organization, graduate the following year, and prove others wrong. He has done just that!
After graduating from West Aurora High School in 2009, Alexander immediately enrolled in Rasmussen College, picked up additional employment, and made a decision to impact lives. He has spoken at local schools about making choices for success and shattering stereotypes...and the students respond!
Today, Alex can be seen at a number of community events as a key representative of Boys II Men. He has changed his mind and changed his life! Oh yes...he has straight A's and is majoring in Elementary Education so that he can impact thousands of students when he becomes a teacher.
"I didn't turn around 360 degrees because that would have put me back at the same spot. Thanks to B2M, I turned around 180 degrees so that I would be going in the opposite direction from where I was headed! I am focused and ready now," said Sanchez. |
 "Anyone who cannot see their swagger has to be blind. Boys II Men is the league of extraordinary gentlemen!"MTV Host, From G's to Gents
Author, Advance Your Swagger
First Gentleman of Hip-Hop
International Fashion Icon | |
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The words of Mr. Fonzworth Bentley are definitely true. B2M is a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen! These young men have changed their minds and changed their lives...and the lives of others.
I sincerely thank you for your continued support of this movement. You can continue to support us by forwarding the Gentlemen's Quarterly Newsletter to young leaders and anyone who is privileged to help prepare them for the future.
Please visit our website at www.boys2menonline.org and reach out to us via the 'Contact Us' section. We welcome your feedback, insights, and referrals. Together, we can make a huge impact!
Respectfully,
Clayton Muhammad
Founder/Director, Boys II Men
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