The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce August Youths of the Month. Chandli McCray, from the Southwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Eliana Perez, from the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Hollie Mix, from the Southeast Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month.
Service clubs sponsor three age divisions. Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls sponsors 6-8 year olds. Optimist of Wichita Falls sponsors 9-11 year olds. Rotary Club of Wichita Falls sponsors 12-18 year olds.
Interviewers Barbara Lyne (Rotary Club of Wichita Falls) and Matt English (Optimist Club of Wichita Falls) considered the following attributes while selecting the City Wide Youths of the Month:
- Home & Family Involvement
- Community Contributions
- Academic Achievements
- Boys & Girls Club participation
- Spiritual Values
Nominees for the Kiwanis Division included:
- Dakota Newton, Rosewood Branch
- Roman Sheridan, Northeast Branch
- Abigail Jordan, Southeast Branch
- Jadyn Westlund, Central Branch
- Chandli McCray, Southwest Branch
- Summer Colbert, Northwest Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Jamie Robinson, Rosewood Branch
- Jamiya Redwine, Northeast Branch
- Bianca Baker, Northwest Branch
- Kadance Tucker, Southeast Branch
- Eliana Perez, Southwest Branch
- Layla Roque, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Andre Jones, Rosewood Branch
- McKinzie Logan, Northeast Branch
- I’mani Pollard, Northwest Branch
- Hollie Mix, Southeast Branch
- Breanna Kohl, Southwest Branch
- Andrew Kindrick, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Chandli McCray is the 7 year old daughter of Bryan and Wendy McCray. She attends the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is Club Director.
Chandli is very helpful around the house helping with the sweeping, mopping, and laundry. She also enjoys helping her mom with in the kitchen. Additional duties include caring for the family pet and visiting with elderly family members.
Chandli is proudly maintaining all A’s on her report card as a second grade student at West Foundation Elementary. Her favorite class is Science. She believes school is important because if you don’t learn then you won’t be able to get a good job when you are an adult.
Attending the Southwest Branch for this past year has been a happy experience for Chandli. She enjoys participating in the learning center and learning on the computers. She received awards for her arts pieces entered in the annual Fine Arts Exhibit at the Wichita Falls Museum of Arts at MSU. Chandli has been to Camp Graham Ball and received numerous camp awards.
Branch Director Tori Smith said, “Chandli loves to help others and can’t wait to join the Junior Staff Program when she gets old enough.”
Eliana Perez is the 11 year old daughter of Denise Perez. She attends the Southwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Tori Smith is Director.
Eliana is a big help to her mom. Her duties include keeping her room cleaned, helping with the house vacuuming, laundry, and caring for the family pet. Kitchen duties include helping to prepare meals, cleaning up afterwards, and putting things away afterward. She also assists with putting out the trash on pick up days.
As a sixth grader at Cunningham Elementary School, Eliana maintains an above average 3.5 G.P.A.! Her Language Arts Class is her favorite subject and she is interested in joining the Safety Patrol this year. She received second place honors in the UIL Art Competition. Eliana dreams of becoming a Veterinarian and someday helping animals back to good health.
Eliana has attended Faith Baptist Church for seven years. She is in the choir, attends Sunday school, and Children’s Church.
Eliana has been a dependable Boys & Girls Club member for the past five years. She is active in a variety of programs and activities. Her time while at the Club is spent participating in the Arts and Crafts Program where she has won numerous award. She also enjoys the Computer Tech Program, serving as a Peer Leader, Power Hour, and Torch Club member. Elaina loves going to Camp Graham Ball.
Assistant Director Cara Thomas said, “Eliana stands out from her peers always choosing positive things to engage in and is always willing to help!”
Hollie Mix is the 14 year old daughter of Nora Boren. She has one 23 year old sister and three brothers ages 9, 19, and 23.
Hollie does her share of chores around the house. She cleans her bedroom, helps out with vacuuming, meal preparations, and washing the dishes afterwards. She also helps by keeping up with her 9 year old brother and caring for the family pet.
As a ninth grade student at Rider High School Hollie maintains a better than average 3.5 G.P.A. and is a class officer. She has been in through the D.A.R.E. program and enjoys being in the school choir. Hollie says she enjoys learning new things at school. Her career interests lie in the Culinary Arts and she hopes to attend a Culinary School in New York in order to become an Executive Chef someday.
The Southeast Boys & Girls Club is Hollie’s favorite place to hang out. She is very active in all areas of the Club but especially enjoys serving her peers as a volunteer. She is in the Torch and Keystone Clubs, Junior Staff Club, and served as a trained anti-tobacco teen instructor for the Health Department’s Tobacco Abstinence Program. Hollie also volunteers for the meal and snack programs for her Boys & Girls Club. When not volunteering, she enjoys participating in the Club Tech Computer Program, Power Hour homework assistance program, and working in the fine arts area. She has attended Camp Graham Ball and has received numerous camper awards.
Hollie has attended church for the past seven years at Faith Baptist where she is in the Choir, attends Sunday school, and Children’s Church. She is also a member at Straight Street and the YMCA.
Branch Director Charlene Vomastek said, “Hollie is choosing positive things to engage in and serving as a wonderful role model for not only younger members but her peers as well.