BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
If you talk to Michael Trujillo, Senior Director of the Zonta Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, he will tell you there is something really special about one of his kids.
Cory Poole, II is an 18-year-old senior at Chamberlain High School, who was recently honored as “Youth Of The Year” for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. This is the highest honor a club member can receive. Along with the honor is a $1,000 scholarship, and the opportunity to compete for state, regional, and national Youth of the Year honors, and more scholarship money.
The soft-spoken Poole said it is a great honor to receive the recognition.
“I’ve been coming to this center for 5 years, and I was first drawn here by my peers, and I stayed because the staff treated me like family. I also look forward to competing for the state title.”
After graduating from high school, Poole said he wants to become a Marine, and get involved in crash/fire rescue activities.
“I plan to attend college after the Marines, and I’ll go to whatever school the scholarship will take me.
“I’ve gained the gift of leadership experience since I started coming to the club, and some of the guys who were here when I first started coming are still around.”
Poole said the problems his older brothers, ages 25 and 20, experienced that sent them both to prison only served to motivate him.
“Both of them would talk to me and say no matter what happens to them, they didn’t want me to follow in their footsteps. Now, I’m looking forward to both of them coming home.”
Poole doesn’t share much information about his older brothers, but said he has a younger brother, Nathaniel, who is a football player and sophomore at Chamberlain.
“My favorite subject in school is math, and when I’m not at the club, I’m at home doing my homework, or spending time with Nathaniel.
“My mother has always encouraged me to go out and be the best I can be, and my father, Cory, Sr., has also been a positive figure in my life, and encourages me to strive to be the best I can be.”
Cory, Sr. describes his son as being a wonderful young man who made up his mind a long time ago what he wanted to do.
“He’s an excellent son and student, and has never given me or his mother, Mary, any problems.
“He has a strong family base in spite of what’s going on with his brothers, and he’s evidence that sometimes you learn what not to do by being observant.”
Cory, Sr. said his son is very protective of his brother, Nathaniel, and constantly talks to him. He also said between Cory, II’s Marine training and the club, he stays quite busy.
“He’s in Chamberlain’s ROTC Program, and also has early entry into the Marine Corps. He trains with the Marines weekly at a field near Al Lopez Park.
Cory, II’s mother, Mary, said her son has always been somewhat of a loner who walked to the beat of his own drum.
“He followed in the footsteps of his big sister, Linda, who got him interested in ROTC.
“I’m so proud that he didn’t allow all the negative things going on round him to throw him off course. I’m proud of all my children, and I’m happy others can see what a special person Cory is. I have faith in God, and I just leave it all in His hands.”
Cory, II said he never expected to get all of this attention, but he’s grateful and honored. “I see myself returning to Tampa later to work with kids as a volunteer, because it’s something I really enjoy doing.”
