Big Sister Nominee: Ann Sheeky
Age is just a number to Big Sister Ann Sheeky, because at age 78, nothing can slow her down, not even a 16-year-old girl! Five years ago, Ann was matched with Little Sister Kristen. Kristen lives with her grandmother, mother, twin sister, an older sister and brother; her father is not in her life. Because of the personal dynamics in her family, Kristen had become an introverted little girl.
School social workers suggested Big Brothers Big Sisters to the entire family. And although all of the children were at one time matched with a volunteer, Ann was the only one who followed through and had the resolve to not give up and continue to be matched with Kristen.
Despite tough circumstances, Ann knew that she was going to stay with Kristen until she graduated from high school and went to college. They slowly started becoming friends and Ann realized that getting Kristen to believe in herself was going to be a long process, since Kristen suffered from low self-esteem.
Ann encouraged Kristen to play a sport to be more active and social. Kristen tried out for the volleyball team and Ann was at every game. This boosted Kristen’s self-esteem and she became more out-going and started making friends.
After being together for two years, Kristen became a different girl. Ann consistently preached to Kristen the importance of believing in yourself in order to accomplish anything in life, including school. Kristen went from a child who was failing and barely attending school to a child who was bringing homework over to Ann’s house to work on. Her grades went up and she is focused on graduating high school, a concept that she never believed in before. Kristen has grown to trust Ann and truly believes that she is her confidante.
Now in their sixth year together, Kristen is a strong, independent 16-year-old young woman with goals and dreams and with Ann’s love and guidance will become everything she was meant to be.