Ozzie Smith Speaks At Boys & Girls Club Of Benton Harbor

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The Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor is honoring the graduates of its Passport to Manhood program. On Wednesday, 50 of them completed the program that teaches responsibility with 14 sessions focusing on various aspects of manhood. On hand for the graduation was baseball legend Ozzie Smith, who said he always tried to set a good example for young people throughout his career.

“The goal is really to be, hopefully, exemplary in the way you go about your business, in the way you conduct yourself on and off the field, realizing very early on that was very important when young people take a look at professional athletes and how we influence their lives,” Smith said.

Smith spoke to the young people about responsibility and overcoming obstacles. Named as the Young Man of the Year was 16-year-old Antonio Varnado, of Benton Harbor. He said the Passport to Manhood program has helped him to realize that he, too, can go to college and make it.