Javonte’ Ragsdale takes community involvement to a whole new level
Javtone’ Ragsdale, 18, a Kosciusko High School senior has been named the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club (OWBGC) Youth of the Year.
He will serve as an ambassador for the club, a role that will suit him well since he already participates in the club as junior staff, a volunteer, and member of the Dynamic Voices club choir and club Mime Team.
Ragsdale earned the honor and Jamal Burroughs was named runner-up, should Ragsdale be unable to fulfill the role for the entire year.
“They made it hard on the judges,” said Randy Fuller of the OWBGC. “With his (Ragsdale’s) personality and his charismatic character, he’ll represent the club well.”
Ragsdale is the son of Kimberly Riley and Antonio Ragsdale, and the grandson of Gloria Riley. He has one older sister, and a younger sister and brother.
“Family is really grounding, blood really is thicker than water,” said Ragsdale, who said his grandmother has been particularly influential in his life.
“She is my saving grace, I go to her for everything,” he said.
Ragsdale started at the club when he was five years old and participated for about two years, then returned to the club two years ago, becoming increasingly involved since then.
Although always interested in singing, it was through the club that he was a founding member of the choir.
“The OWBGC is what got me back on track to my passion for singing,” he said.
Church has also played a lifetime role in Ragsdale’s life.
“I started church when I was younger, but as I grew older, I made that commitment for myself,” he said.
In addition to his quadruple role at the club, Ragsdale is President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, head prayer and scripture reader at Kosciusko High School, Co-Captain of the KHS tennis team and a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council.
Asked why he is so driven, he said his family has encouraged him to go further than they have been able to go.
“My parents went to college, but took time out. My mom just went back so we’re going to be in college together,” he said. “I don’t want to live paycheck-to-paycheck. I have a lot of ambition and I want a lot out of life.”
Ragsdale said he experienced a period of depression when he was younger, when things weren’t going the way he wanted them to, but he now has a far more positive attitude.
“I always tell people that your past isn’t your future; you are the author of your own book,” he said.
