Sam's Story
Boys Town Helped Sam Find the Best Version of Himself
Boys Town Helped Sam Find His Path
Sam Saintizaire was 5 when his family relocated from Haiti to Boynton Beach, Florida. As a teenager, he began running around with the wrong crowd, getting into trouble and doing poorly in school. His parents became frustrated. He knew he needed to make a change. So, when Sam was given the option of going to Boys Town in Nebraska, he made one of the toughest but most important decisions of his young life.
The Power of Positive Change
Arriving at Boys Town as a high school freshman, Sam initially had a tough time adapting to a more structured environment in a totally different climate. One thing made the adjustment a little easier, though: the opportunity to play sports. Sam loved to compete and participated in every athletic activity he could. He played football, basketball and baseball, and ran track. He excelled in football, helping to lead the Boys Town Cowboys to a 7-2 record and a spot in the state playoffs during his senior year.
At Boys Town, Sam learned helpful skills and began to chart a new path for himself. He also found mentors along the way who helped him through some tough times and helped him start believing in himself. In his senior year, he ran for Mayor of Boys Town — and won, earning the most votes from his fellow students. And Sam’s popularity with his peers didn’t stop there. He was also crowned Homecoming King his senior year and earned cheers for a stellar high school football career. After graduating from Boys Town, Sam headed to the University of Nebraska at Kearney on a football scholarship.
Sam’s strong ties to Boys Town frequently bring him back to the place he calls his second home. His Family-Teachers have become like his second set of parents. Looking back on his decision to go to Boys Town, Sam said he knows it’s one of the best moves he ever made. “I was always told that if you do what you need to do to be successful, Boys Town will always be there for you,” he said. “They have never let me down. I owe a lot to Boys Town.”
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