“In Be Strong, we learn about working together, setting goals and building healthy friendships. I am taking these lessons and applying them to my life.”
– Daheim Derilus
Daheim Derilus came to Be Strong to have some fun. One year later, he’s still here and still having fun, but with a more serious outlook.
“The program was good from the first day, and I just continued coming,” says Daheim, 14, an eighth-grader at Palm Glades Preparatory Academy in Miami. His younger brother, Name, a seventh-grader at Palm Glades, also participates in Be Strong.
“Be Strong became a place for me to get my homework done, hang out with friends, eat free snacks and learn new things like cooking, photography, and heart skills,” Daheim says. “We also get to go on amazing field trips.” He still remembers his first one: traveling across town to play dodgeball against Richmond Heights Middle School. Palm Glades won, 3-0.
For Daheim, the memories are also about the life lessons he’s learning. “In Be Strong, we learn about working together, goal setting and building healthy friendships,” he says. “I am taking these lessons and applying them to my life.“
His values were already solid when he came to Be Strong, but he’s finding new ways of putting them to work.
“My friends consider me to be someone who likes to have fun, laugh, and play. I agree, but more than that, I also consider myself to be loyal, honest and protective, especially of my little brother. It is important to me to set a good example for him, and Be Strong encourages me to do so by being honest and responsible in my decision-making.”
Like many other youths, Darius hopes to make his school’s basketball team. But his sights are set much farther out: He wants to become an entrepreneur or real estate agent. Be Strong is helping him build the foundation to make this dream come true.
“I highly recommend any middle school youth who has the opportunity to join Be Strong After School Club because it is a safe place to do your homework and be around cool people.
“I feel that this program can change your life,” Daheim says, adding mischievously, “and you get food!”
He gets serious again.
“If I can, I would volunteer with Be Strong in the future because I feel like they gave to me, and I would like to give back. I hope that Be Strong After School Club stays around for a long time because it is a good program.”
