Christian Askew, 14, was chosen out of thousands of Boys and Girls Club members across Atlanta to host the 27th annual Marel Brown Creative Writing Program at a packed-house Fox Theater Tuesday night.

Askew, a Teasley Middle seventh grader, said he's always hanging out at the Malon D. Mimms Club in Canton. When he was approached to emcee the event, he said it would be a new experience that would move his education forward.

"I just thought, 'This might be something that could go for a scholarship one day,'" Askew said.

Askew is active in the Torch and Keystone leadership programs, a band percussionist, a performing artist and basketball player for the Georgia Hurricanes.

The Marel Brown event promotes writing and performance art in the Boys and Girls Clubs. The event drew so many people that the theater was standing-room only.