HYC member earns Indians scholarship

Beverly Burgess, HYC director, and Devonte Simon.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said Heights High senior Devonte Simon about his involvement with Heights Youth Club (HYC), a Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland affiliate, located at the corner of Lee Road and Washington Boulevard. Simon is both an HYC member and junior staff member; he takes part in club activities, and also helps provide mentoring and other services for younger members.

As runner-up for 2017 Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Simon was awarded a $3,000 college scholarship by the Cleveland Indians Charities.

Simon has taken part in the Boys & Girls Clubs national Keystone leadership training program. He traveled to Dallas last summer, along with 10 Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland student leaders, to attend the national Keystone convention. For Simon, it was an opportunity to learn and network with high-achieving peers. 

At Cleveland Heights High School, Simon has been on the merit roll all four years. He also played football and basketball, and ran track. On National Signing Day in February, he was one of 13 Heights High student-athletes who signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports next year. Simon committed to attend Hiram College, where he will be a wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner. He plans to study business management, with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

Simon said he enjoys being around the people at HYC because they have such positive attitudes, and he feels being at the club has helped him to make good choices. He’s also made many friends at HYC, including other staff members.

HYC partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland to offer programs fostering academic success, character and citizenship, healthy lifestyles, creativity, and cultural appreciation for children ages 6–18.