Family Members are Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club Summer Superstars

Dijaye Carpenter and her cousin Eshon’e Cofield-Jackson have been named Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Summer for their outstanding and stellar conduct during the Club’s six week Travel Through Time program.

Nine-year-old Dijaye will be going into the fourth grade this September at the Landing Elementary School where her favorite subjects are math and science. Dijaye also loves to read books including the Magic Tree House series. This summer, Dijaye enjoyed her first experience at the Club where she able to have fun and make friends, all while learning during the course of the summer program. “I really loved coming to the Club a lot and I especially liked learning about the 70ss and the 80s. I felt very happy here and the Club made me interested and curious about things. I’m so glad that I will be coming back here in September when schools starts,” said Dijaye. Her mother, Danielle Willis, MPA, RDMS who was also once a Club member herself had this to say upon learning of Dijaye’s recognition, “Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club is a place of beginnings and early development. It’s a place where children gain a sense of propriety. Through the Club’s Summer Workshop Program I was given my first job at the age of 12, at the Glen Cove Senior Center. This opportunity allowed me to understand the true importance of helping others, which guided me into pursuing a career in healthcare. The Club always provided a safe atmosphere where I could go and engage in positive activities with my friends, and thankfully now through the grace of God the Lincoln House still stands, and will be able to give my daughter the same opportunities it did for me.” Dijaye, like her mom, wants to pursue a career in healthcare and hopes to become a doctor when she grows up so that she can help and treat people.

Dijaye’s cousin, Eshon’e is 13-years old and this is her second time being recognized for her exceptional behavior. She was honored as the Club’s Senior Youth of the Month last September. Eshon’e has been a member for seven years and will be going into the eight-grade at Robert M. Finley Middle School in the fall. She enjoys English and math and would like to pursue a career in the fashion and beauty industry when she grows up. She enjoyed her time at the Club this summer participating in the sports programs and the Club’s volunteer driven activities. “I had a great summer spending time with my friends at the Club. I especially liked one of our Art Room projects where we designed and made vases that included a story about us. I also had fun volunteering at the USGA US Women’s Amateur Championship at Nassau Country Club,” said Eshon’e.

Barbara Cofield, custodian at the Club and aunt to both Dijaye and Eshon’e was very pleased to hear that both her nieces were recognized. “I’m very proud of my nieces Dijaye and Eshon’e for being selected the Youth of the Summer. I’ve worked at this Club for six years and have seen so many young kids blossom into impressive young adults with goals and the determination to build a successful future. Dijaye and Eshon’e are great kids and I know they are being given the tools they need to follow their dreams and aspirations.”