Needham Youth Services'

Left to right: NBA Representative, Louise Condon, owner of Condon Realty, October RAY of Hope Erika Ogbebor, Katy Colthart, Clinician at Youth Services.

Erika is a junior at Needham High School. She was nominated by her supervisor at Charles River Center, for her volunteer work with kids. She originally volunteered at the Charles River Center with her brother but then later that school year began to work there on her own two days a week. She is a recreational aid to kids 7-21 years old who have physical and mental differences. “I aspire to work somewhere in the medical field such as a nurse practitioner, doctor's assistant, psychiatrist or pediatrician. So, I think by just working hard in school and outside of school as well as looking after my family is how I unknowingly impact my community”, says Erika.

At Needham High School Erika is involved in many activities and clubs, one being the GALS club. It stands for Girls Achieving Leadership and Service. Erika is also a member in the RAG club, the literary magazine at the high school where they publish fellow students' art work and writing pieces in one book and sell them around school. She is also a member of the Mentor Club, a new club formed at NHS school which pairs a rising freshman with upper-classmen to help them adjust to the high school.

Erika is on the girl’s Rugby team at Needham High School. “Rugby has taught me to go out of my comfort zone, taught me my own eternal strength, taught me the power in my teammates and taught me the power of women. I would love to play rugby in college.” states Erika. She is also working at Stacy’s Juice bar as a barista.

Watch the ceremony honoring Erika at: https://youtu.be/EA2TjC-Fpxs

For more information please visit www.needhamma.gov/youth/ray