The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce November Youths of the Month. Martin Hale, of the Central Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Emery Terrell, of the Northwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Ally Arias, of the Southwest 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 were Mark Casares, representing the Rotary Club of Falls, and Patrick Martin, 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:
- Adrianelle Johnson, Rosewood Branch
- Jaxxon Mitchell, Northeast Branch
- Cynae Sparkman, Northwest Branch
- Neela Diaz, Southeast Branch
- Gabriel Westmoreland, Southwest Branch
- Martin Hale, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Damarie Latchett, Rosewood Branch
- Demone Contee, Northeast Branch
- Emery Terrell, Northwest Branch
- Maisie Colvin, Southeast Branch
- Hannah Winland Martin, Southwest Branch
- David Brower, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Vallerie Culberson, Rosewood Branch
- Roshanna Robinson, Northeast Branch
- Deriess Colbert, Northwest Branch
- Max Lopez, Southeast Branch
- Ally Arias, Southwest Branch
- Roshana Robinson, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express, Taco Casa and Times/Record News
Martin Hale is the 7 year old son of Martin and Ambur Hale. He attends the Central Branch where Barbara Green is Club Director.
Martin is very helpful around the house and keeps his room neat and clean. Additional duties include keeping his toys picked up and put away, taking care of the family pet, washing dishes, and taking out the trash weekly. Martin attends the Baptist Church with his parents and is active in the Children’s Church.
Martin attends Crockett Elementary and is proudly maintaining all A’s on his report card as a Kindergarten student. Martin’s favorite class is Science because he enjoys learning about the world around him.
Martin has been attending the Central Branch for the past year. He enjoys participating in the gym playing soccer, basketball, football. In the Learning Center he is involved with Healthy Habits, drawing, coloring, Power Hour, and is always involved while at the Club.
Assistant Branch Director Charles Lonon said, “Martin is a great kid and a joy to be around.”
Emery Terrell is the 10 year old daughter of Ricky and Tracey Terrell. She attends the Northwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Director.
Emery has one 6 year old brother and two sisters who are 5 and 16 years old. She helps her mom keep up with both younger children. Other responsibilities at home include cleaning and maintaining her room, caring for family pets, helping with kitchen duties, cleaning up afterwards, washing dishes, and putting things away. She also helps to see that the trash is put out for pick up.
Emery has attended Anchor Baptist with her family for 5 years. She is a member of Sunday school and the Children’s Church. Emery also attends Camp Fire and Southside Youth Center programs.
As a fifth grader at Kate Burgess Elementary School, Emery maintains a 4.0 GPA. Social Science is her favorite subject because it is preparing her for life. She is a member of the choir and plays the violin in the school’s orchestra. Emery would like to attain her Bachelor’s Degree and hopes to become recognized as an Artist.
Emery Terrell has been a dependable Boys & Girls Club member for the past four years and participates in a variety of programs and activities. Her favorite past time is in the Arts & Crafts Program where she unleashes her talent through painting and has received numerous awards in the annual exhibit at the Museum of Art at Midwestern State University. Other programs that she enjoys include Club Tech, Power Hour, Junior Staff, Smart Girls, Reading, Healthy Habits, and Triple Play Challenges in the gym.
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Emery has excellent leadership skills and continues to grow!”
Ally Arias is the 16 year old daughter of Dwain and Amanda Arias. She has three sisters and seven brothers. Her list of chores around the house is extensive. Ally helps with total house care and cleanliness while also maintaining her bedroom. She helps with meal preparations and cleaning up afterwards. Ally has attended the Fountain of Living Water Church with her family for the past seven years. She sings in the choir, attends Sunday school, and participates on youth group committees. As a member of the King’s Cupboard, Ally is serving her fellow church members by cleaning the church weekly as well as volunteering to get and serve donations. She also helps with the Church’s audio and television ministry.
Ally is very active in the community and has participated in Parks & Recreation activities, Camp Fire, YMCA, Southside Youth Center, and Straight Street programs. She is also a volunteer for the food ministry at Faith Mission and the Women’s Refuge.
Ally always finds time to meet with her friends at the Southwest Boys & Girls Club where she has been an active member since June of 2010. She is currently serving as the historian in Keystone Service Club and as a teen advisor for the Torch Club. She has completed seven community service projects this year alone. Ally helps with Kids Café. Ally has won several awards in the Fine Arts annual exhibit at the Wichita Falls Museum at MSU and also in the National Photography Exhibit. She is a teen councilor at the resident Boys & Girls Club Camp each summer.
Branch Director Tori Smith said, “Ally is very responsible and has a big heart!”