The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce July Youths of the Month. Ebony Redwine, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. McKenzie Platt, of the Central Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Hollie Mix. of the Southeast Rosewood 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 sponsor. 12-18 year olds.
Interviewers were Jody Brannon, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and Bill Presson, representing the 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:
- Desmen Johnson, Rosewood Branch
- Leonna Rowe, Northeast Branch
- Ebony Redwine, Northwest Branch
- Haven Victory, Southeast Branch
- Toby Flickinger, Southwest Branch
- Jordyn Taylor, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Devin Mims, Rosewood Branch
- Isaih Sheridan, Northeast Branch
- Elisa Dease, Northwest Branch
- Marissa Ibarra, Southeast Branch
- Ramona Rainbolt, Southwest Branch
- McKenzie, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Jaelyn Washington, Rosewood Branch
- No candidate, Northeast Branch
- Johnniah Williams-White, Northwest Branch
- Hollie Mix, Southeast Branch
- Laron Arias, Southwest Branch
- Andrew Lonon, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Taco Casa, Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Ebony is the 7 year old daughter of Ruby Little and Clayton Ward. She attends the Northwest Branch where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Club Director.
Ebony has two sisters ages 8 and 9 as well as two brothers ages 2 and 4. Ebony is good about keeping her room clean and helping with the house work. Additional duties include taking out the trash and helping keep up with the younger members of her family.
Ebony attends Kate Burgess Elementary as a 2nd grade student and maintains straight A’s on her report card. She enjoys her Science class most and says, “School is important so you can learn, get an education and go to college!”
As a Boys & Girls Club kid, Ebony participates in Photography, Arts and Crafts, Computer Tech, Triple Play Challenges, Club Tech & Reading Programs, Smart Moves, Kids in Control. She enjoys helping with Kids Café and helping staff members in the performance of their duties.
Director Jerry Taylor said, “Ebony has a caring spirit and is a leader in the making.”
McKenzie is the 12 year old daughter of Leon Edgett. She attends the Central Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Barbara Green is Director.
McKenzie has one 15 year old sister and two brothers ages 5 and 8. She is good about helping with the house work and looks for opportunities to help her dad with household upkeep. McKenzie also helps by keeping her room cleaned, helping with meal preparations, dishwashing duties, and she also keeps up with her younger siblings.
McKenzie says she enjoys making people happy, especially when they are in need of help.
Now a 7th grader at Barwise Leadership Academy, McKenzie plans to continue her service to others as a student council member and intends to maintain a 3.5 or better GPA. English is his favorite subject and she will be a member of the Choir and Drama Clubs. She believes school is important because “it will help further her overall education”!
McKenzie has been a Boys & Girls Club member for the past two years and has won awards in the Fine Arts and Photography Programs. She participates in after school Power Hour, Reading Program, Peer Leaders, Smart Leaders, and Summer Camping Program. Swimming, Triple Play Healthy Habits, and T.P. Challenges in the gym are other fun things to do while at the Club.
Director Barbara Green said, “McKenzie is a great peer leader and a role model for younger members.”
Hollie is the 13 year old daughter of Wesley and Nora Mix. She attends the Southeast Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Charlene Vomastek is Director.
Hollie has one sister and five brothers. Hollie is a big help to her mother and helps with all of the housework. She helps with meal preparations, cleaning up afterwards, laundry, and yard duties. Hollie is helpful towards elderly family members.
Hollie is a very morally upright young woman and chooses to do the right things based on her spiritual beliefs. She is a member of the Cowboy Church attending seven or more times each month. She enjoys Sunday school and helping with the little ones in the nursery. Hollie has been active in the community volunteering at the Faith Mission, the Health Department’s Teens Against Tobacco Use program, and the annual Teens Make a Difference Day Event. Hollie is also involved in Straight Street and Campfire programs.
As a student at Rider High School where she will be a 10th grade student she is planning to maintain her 3.5 + GPA. Her favorite subject is English and she enjoys Drama Club and Choir. Hollie said, “I believe school is important because the things you learn in school will be useful in the real world.” Hollie wants to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts at California Arts College.
Hollie has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Club for the past six years. A few of the programs she has been involved in include Power Hour after-school homework hour, Club Tech, Reading Programs, Smart Moves, and Junior Staff Program.
Club Director Charlene Vomastek said, “Holley has a great heart and is serious about helping others!”