Finding Nemo: Teen coaches at Boys & Girls Glub

PUBLISHED BY KOIN 6 NEWS

By Anne State from
Published: Updated:

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — Nehemiah Dedmon has an infectious laugh, a mega-watt smile and the ability to be a coach — at the age of 13.

At the Blazers Boys & Girls Club, “Nemo,” as he is called, coaches the first- and second-graders. He teaches the young players to have faith in their fellow teammates, something he learned from “my mom and my school, Holy Redeemer.”

Nemo goes to the Boys & Girls Club to hang with his friends and do his homework.

“Respect” is not just a word on the wall at the club, it is something Nemo has earned and learned.

“You respect others, they respect you,” he said. “You’ll have that lifelong relationship you need in life.”

Imani Muhammad, who said Nehemiah was the club’s youngest-ever Youth of the Year, said it is not a common thing for a 6-year-old to respect a 13-year-old.

“Nehemiah is a great example of why we do what we do,” she said.