JA 18 Under 18
JAMISON WELSH
In 2022, Jamison was named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Maryland State Youth of the Year and it’s easy to understand why. At the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, she mentors youth, helping them develop coping skills and find support as they deal with peer pressure, family challenges, and the difficulties associated with adolescence. Working with the club, she collaborated with other partners on the “Find Your Natural High” drug prevention program, and also leads the SMART Girls program that promotes empowerment in girls through service projects. As State Youth of the Year, Jamison met with the governor and local leaders, becoming an advocate for youth. When she was awarded a shopping spree as part of her honor, she spun that experience into a service project, Project Dressing Room, that sponsors pop-up boutiques where young people can “shop” from donated clothing and accessories. The project’s motto exemplifies her own entrepreneurial values: “When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good you do good.”
“[Jamison] has a natural ability to lead, using her critical thinking skills to access each situation and develop a plan that is equitable to all.” —Erin Bishop, nominator