it's a place that keona calls home.ere she found inspiration and motivation from caring adults who served as her mentors. they, keona says, helped her and her single parent mother through some very difficult times when her mother became permanently disabled following heart surgery. keona had to work to make money, plus keep a rigorous academic schedule it the club was there to help. >> i would have never had the confidence in myself. i would have never believed that i can do this. i can achieve my deeps. and the boys and girls club had just been that foundation i needed. >> on behalf of the 4 million kids that we serve a year at boys and girls clubs of america, keona is a shining example of our program, and the evidence, the irrefutable evidence, of what we're all about. >> reporter: at howard, keona is focused on study and being a positive influence on people she encount encounters. she is optimistic about becoming a future leader in america. and her passion for excellence is contagious. >> it's really great to have a