Jayna Shafer

Jayna has been a Club member at the Sands Branch for nine years. During her Club membership she has helped tutor her fellow teen members in math and science. Jayna has a 3.39 GPA at Deer Valley High School, working 30 hours a week, and is an older sister helping her mother raise her siblings. She strives to lead by example and inspire young women to “reach for the universe” as she says, and prove to the world that they (women) can achieve anything.

Jayna has been involved with Torch Club, Keystone and L.I.T program. She has been a part of planning committees with her Clubs and special Club events/ celebrations such as Earth Day, MLK day, Fall Festival, and fundraising through Snack Shack and Keystone. She also participated in raising funds to purchase sleeping bags and toiletries for LGBTQIA homeless youth for the organization one•n•ten. She has served as the secretary and co-chair of her Keystone Club. Jayna is currently working with Keystone to create a mentoring program for Torch Club by Keystone members.

Jayna has gone through some challenges this year with the loss of her younger sister JaiAnna. She turned grief and loss into motivation, making it her ultimate goal to “do it for her” by living her life to the fullest and taking any challenge head-on. She is determined to attend college and study software engineering with a minor in automotive engineering. After completing her degree, she will be joining the Navy to further advance her career.

Q: What is one thing you’ve had the opportunity to do because of the Boys & Girls Club?

I had the opportunity to join SMART Girls and I really enjoyed it. It was created for young girls to talk about important issues that affect us right now. It helped me and other people. I also enjoyed going on our volunteer trips.

Q: What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“I live for her.” by me. I live by this saying now because I didn’t want to live before and even more after my sister was gone.

Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch

Age 18 Senior Deer Valley High School

Celebrating future leaders.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and celebrate these extraordinary stars.