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WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | MARCH 2, 2022
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Agua Fria senior defies odds, wants to help others BY DOYOON KIM
West Valley View Staff Writer
B
ailey Mitchell is known as “Mr. Community.” The 17-year-old Agua Fria High School student has cultivated a reputation as a young man who loves and supports his city. “I love (my) community,” Mitchell said. “Talking and having fun, forming friendship, and being together with people as a community is just one of the best feelings.” Mitchell was recently named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s 2022 Youth of the Year, representing the clubs’ Bob Bové Branch in Avondale. The award is a scholarship given to high school sophomores through seniors who demonstrate dedication to service, family and academic success at the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual competition. At the club, Mitchell was the Keystone Club president, the flag football captain, a staff assistant for which he led field trips for the kids, led fundraising efforts and community service initiatives. His motivations to serve stem from his personal experiences. Despite coming from a difficult home situation and facing numerous challenges in his life, Mitchell persevered and is living his
life to the fullest. Mitchell lives with his grandmother, who adopted him and his older brother 10 years ago. He and his six siblings were put into foster care when Mitchell was about 7 years old because his mother and stepfather had addiction and substance abuse issues. His family could not afford to live in proper housing, so Mitchell and his family lived throughout the state. Because he frequently switched schools, he found it difficult to make friends. “Eventually the state split (my brother and I) from our sisters, and my grandparents adopted us,” Mitchell said. “Even through the hard times, my mom always tried to do the best for me. She struggled with money and substance abuse but loved me with all her heart.” After his adoption, Mitchell, his brother and his grandmother planned to move to South Carolina, but they returned to live with their great-grandmother. Eventually, the three chose to move again. On the road, their car broke down in Arizona while on their way. “It was just a crazy coincidence. We stayed with our cousins and ended up living there. I had contact with my other siblings, but not with my parents as much,” Mitchell said.
A few years later, after settling down in Arizona, Mitchell and his brother’s mother died by suicide. “It hasn’t been easy for me,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes I still miss her. But the past is the past, and the future is the future. You never forget, but you can move on. I don’t regret anything if anything happens to me.” He also recently lost his stepfather to complications related to COVID-19 and a close friend to gun violence. “I used to look at people just as friends or as someone I Bailey Mitchell was recently named the Boys & Girls Clubs of knew,” Mitchell said. the Valley’s 2022 Youth of the Year, representing the clubs’ Bob “But I’ve learned Bové Branch in Avondale. (Photo courtesy of Bailey Mitchell) that everyone has a story. Everyone run out of time; things happen to you has gone through things no one would that are out of control.” expect. I’ve been through tough times, Mitchell’s past has inspired him to I feel this, but a lot of people also have act and help those like him. Joining experienced difficulties. I’ve learned the Boys & Girls Clubs helped him that if you wait to say ‘hi’ to someone, Senior...continued on page 31 you should do it now. You’re going to
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