Big Brothers Big Sisters

News

Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year Named

05/22/2008

Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year Named

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma announced its Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year. A selection committee of senior executives of the organization recently made the announcement. Amy Malnar nominated by the Tulsa office, and Jason Tyler from Shawnee went on to represent the state for the national Big Brother Big Sister of the Year awarded by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Amy Malnar serves as the Senior Team Associate for Breakaway with Asbury United Methodist Church’s student ministry. She has been matched with her Little Sister, Brittany, since October of 2001. They have not missed spending a Thursday together since they were matched. They enjoy going to movies, painting, arts and crafts, cooking and trips to the Omniplex.

Brittany’s mom considers the match “tied for life” and has noticed a huge improvement in Brittany’s attitude and behavior. Amy encourages Brittany academically and has helped her improve her grades and convinced her that a college education can make a significant difference in shaping a successful future. This turnaround was reflected last semester when Brittany made the best school grades of her life and did not fail any classes, which is a first for her.

Brittany credits Amy with this achievement and also praises her for listening to her and helping her make wise choices in her life. Brittany reluctantly became a Little Sister when her mother enrolled her in the program. She was concerned that the new relationship would jeopardize the relationship she had with her biological sisters. Brittany considers Amy to be her third sister. Amy is happy about these past six years and says that becoming a Big Sister “is one of the most rewarding things she has ever done in her life.

Jason Tyler is a 24 year old college student at the University of Oklahoma. He has been matched to his Little, Joey, since May 30, 2003. They enjoy a wide variety of activities ranging from dirt bike racing, fishing, watching movies and eating pizza. Even though Jason now lives in Norman, he still finds time for his Little Brother.

This past summer Jason and his fiancée were planning their wedding. Joey was very surprised when Jason asked him to be a junior groomsman. The first thing Joey wanted to know was will he get to wear a suit? Not only did he get to wear a suit but the first “suit” he would wear in his young life turned out to be a tuxedo!

Joey’s mom, Maria, has said that since knowing Jason, Joey makes smarter choices and avoids trouble and she owes this all to Jason’s influence. Joes continues to make good choices at school. Mom knows that sometimes Joey is asked to do thing by his peers that would get him in trouble and Joey now refuses to be a part of those situations. Jason’s interest in Joey and his life is making it easier for Joey’s mom to raise her son into a respectful, responsible man.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest mentoring organization in the U.S. It is recognized as the nation’s premiere mentoring organization. Independent research shows that professionally supported, one-to-one relationships between young people and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct and measurable and lasting impact. Children in the program are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to be involved in violence and alcohol and drug use.

From left to right: Amy Malnar, Big Sister of the Year for Oklahoma and her Little Sister, Brittany