BGCH Member Profile: Paris Hancel
Meet Paris Hancel (pictured right), a 10
th
grader at East Hartford High School and a five year member of our Asylum Hill Club. Dealing with bullying and self-esteem issues, Paris looked to her friends and staff members at the Boys & Girls Club for guidance and advice. “The Club represents leadership and strength. The Club is my safe haven. Whenever I walk in here, I know that I am in safe hands,” she said. “I feel like I grew up in this Club.” Paris credits the SMART Girls program with helping to better prepare her to handle difficult situations and for making her more confident and self-aware: “Participating in SMART Girls has taught me the importance of self-love, self-pride, my character and to better understand and navigate uncomfortable situations. The Club has helped me in ways I cannot express. I have found my worth here.” Her dedication to the program does not go unrecognized. Paris was chosen as the Asylum Hill Club's 2019 SMART Girl of the Year.
When she isn’t in school, Paris assists with her school athletics program, is on the yearbook committee and is the Vice President of Student Council, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. While Paris still has two years of high school left, she is already planning for her future. She hopes to attend the University of Florida, and continue on to law school. With all of her ambition, Paris never forgets how far she has come, and wants to help others do the same. “Attending the Club has helped me see the importance of giving back to my community. I hope to give back by mentoring young women and being a strong role model.”
