The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce January 2014 Youths of the Month. Frank Anderson, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Amiah Contreras, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Wilfredo Villegas, of the Southeast Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Fals 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 Warren Gardner (Rotary Club of Wichita Falls) and Jeff Pendley (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:
- Dominic Mims, Rosewood Branch
- K’aaliyah Mitchell, Northeast Branch
- Frank Anderson, Northwest Branch
- Fernando Gonzalez, Central Branch
- Bentley Ware, Southeast Branch
- Adrian Ramirez, Southwest Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Keligh Mims, Rosewood Branch
- Dalton Arbuckle, Northeast Branch
- Sylvia Dennis, Northwest Branch
- Isabel Bernal, Central Branch
- Ashton Harriman, Southeast Branch
- Amiah Contreras, Southwest Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Ramon Gonzalez, Central Branch
- Monique McClanahan, Rosewood Branch
- Ra’Daujnea Foster, Northeast Branch
- Esteban Blis, Northwest Branch
- Wilfredo Villegas, Southeast Branch
- Stacee Shepherd, Southwest Branch
Generous sponsors include: Taco Casa and Times/Record News
Frank is the 7 year old son of Shirelle Willis. He attends the Northwest Branch where Mr. Jerry Taylor is the Club Director.
Frank has three brothers and sisters. Two are younger than he is. In addition to keeping up with the younger siblings, he helps with many household chores some of which including keeping the living room cleaned up, taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom sink, and caring for the family cat Scooter.
Frank is a 2nd grade student at Kate Haynes Elementary and maintains and A/B report card. His favorite class is Art because he enjoys working on projects and bringing them to completion. He feels that school is important “because you learn how to tell time and you learn math and reading”!
Frank has been attending the Northwest Branch for almost two years. He enjoys participating in the annual Fine Arts Exhibit. He currently has three works of art displayed at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU. Frank can be found at the Boys & Girls Club participating in the Learning Center taking part in Power Hour and Computer Tech. Frank is a member of the Buddy Club, a bulling prevention program, and practices his reading skills during the Reading Program. He enjoys the Triple Play Program in the gym and has participated in the Basketball Program.
Assistant Branch Director Joycelyn Downing said, “Frank is continuing to improve and mature!”
Amiah Contreras is the 10 year old daughter of Gladys Contreras. She attends the Southwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Tori Smith is Director.
Amiah is a big help to her mother. Some of her responsibilities at home include keeping the living room, cleaning her room clean, and helping with kitchen duties. She really enjoys baking cakes with her mom.
Amiah is a new member of the Southwest Baptist Church. She rides the church’s bus and attends Sunday school and Children’s Church. She says she loves to read her Bible and prays before each meal.
As a 5th grader at Ben Milam Elementary School, Amiah maintains an A/B Average and says she enjoys Math and her Physical Education class. She is on the Number Sense Team and a member of the choir. Amiah plans to attend MSU and hopes to be in the Women’s National Basketball League. Her backup plan is to be a doctor.
Amiah has been a Boys & Girls Club member for the past four years and is active in various programs and activities. She enjoys playing for the Boys & Girls Club Raider football team, gym activities, and especially loves playing foosball and running games room tournaments. She has been a state level competitor in the annual Elk’s Hoop Shoot and has won several trophies participating in the annual Optimist Tri-Star Basketball Competition. Amiah loves assuming leadership roles as a Junior Staffer and Torch Club member. She has participated in over 24 community service projects.
Director Tori Smith said, “Amiah is a smart, active, and well-behaved young lady constantly setting good examples for her peers!”
Wilfredo is the 14 year old son of Juan &Lupe Villegas.
Wilfredo has attended the Southeast Branch for the past eight years. As a veteran member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls, his achievements and participation have been many. His list of involvements includes the Football Program, the annual Dove/Deer hunts, Torch and Keystone leadership clubs, Power Hour, Tutorial Program, Fine Arts program, Photography program, Triple Play gym activities, Healthy Habits Club, Smart Moves Club, Reading Program, and Passport to Manhood. Wilfredo is also a Junior Staff member and participates in the annual Teens Make a Difference Day.
Wilfredo attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church and is involved with the Church’s Youth Group. He attributes his ability to “stay out of trouble” in a neighborhood where opportunities to do the wrong thing abound to his family, his church, and the Boys & Girls Club.
Wilfredo is an eighth grader at Zundy Jr. High and is maintaining an A/B average. He is a fan of history, athletics, and band. He plays the Saxophone and is a member of the Chess Club! Like most young men, he dreams of being a professional athlete in the NFL but plans to be in Law Enforcement if that dream doesn’t come true.
Branch Director Ms. Charlene Vomastek said, “Wilfredo is on his way to serving as a great and positive leader for his family and the community he lives in.”