The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce October’s Youths of the Month. Abigail Childers, of the Central Branch, is selected for the Kiwanis category in the Youth of the Month Program. Ethan Vestal, of the Southeast Branch, is the Optimist candidate. Taylor Brantley, of the Northwest Branch, has been selected to represent as the Rotary Candidate for the Youth of the Month Program.
The Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls sponsors youth members, ages 6-8, in the Youth of the Month Program. The Optimist of Wichita Falls sponsors our 9-12 year old members, and the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls sponsors the 13-18 year old youth. Each Boys & Girls Club location will submit one youth member each month, from each age category, to compete for the City Wide titles! The youth featured in our monthly articles are the City Wide Winners and will be recognized during each of these Service Club’s August luncheons.
Interviewers Rod Tieken, Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and Matt English, Optimist Club of Wichita Falls, considered the following categories while selecting the City Wide Youths of the Month:
- Home & Family Involvement
- Community Contribution
- Academic Achievements
- Boys & Girls Club Participation
- Spiritual Values
Nominees for the Kiwanis Division included:
- Sir Andrea Cotton, Rosewood Branch
- Joseph Denton, Northeast Branch
- Braylon Jones, Northwest Branch
- Marcelia Drake, Southwest Branch
- Esmeralda Garcia, Southeast Branch
- *Abigail Childers, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Jordon Mitchell, Rosewood Branch
- Ethan McFarland, Northeast Branch
- Frank Anderson, Northwest Branch
- Britney Biffle, Southwest Branch
- *Ethan Vestal, Southeast Branch
- Jakahra Byrd, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Brandon Evans, Rosewood Branch
- *Taylor Brantley, Northwest Branch
- Kaylee Taylor, Southwest Branch
- Julian Perez, Southeast Branch
Generous sponsors for October include: Taco Casa and Times/Record News
Abigail Childers is the 8 year old daughter of Justin & Kendra Childers. Abigail attends the Central Boys & Girls Club Branch where Ms. Barbara Green is Club Director.
Abigail is always willing to help around the house. She cleans her room and also helps care for the family’s pet lizard. Abigail also tells us she likes being a big sister and helping with her little brother when she needs to.
Abigail is in the 3rd grader and works hard to maintain her straight A’s average. She says that science class is her favorite and believes school is important because “I get to learn cool and new stuff!” .”
Abigail enjoys going to the Boys & Girls Club very much. While attending the Club, she enjoys playing with cameras in the photography program. She also participates in Club Tech (computers), Power Hour Homework Club, and she enjoyed attending Summer Camp. She is actively involved in Smart Moves, Kids in Control, Goals for Growth, and the Reading Club. Abigail also participates in Healthy Habits and Triple Play Challenges in the gym. She also looks forward to swimming at Central’s swimming pool during the hot summer months.
Several of his Club staff members had wonderful things to say about Abigail. Club Director Barbara Green states, “Abigail is a lively and joyous youth who has a great attitude about life. She is smart and enjoys learning the STEM program in the computer lab!”
Ethan Vestal is the 12-year old son of Bradley Vestal. He has one older and one younger sister. Ethan helps out around the home by working hard to keep his room clean and organized, cooking meals, washing the dishes, and by taking out the trash. He also assists his dad by helping to watch over his younger sister.
Ethan is a 7th grade student and maintains a 3.5 or higher GPA. English is his favorite subject and Ethan likes to participate the school’s art program. Ethan believes school is important because “you get to learn, become smarter, and more mature.” He plans to join the military when he grows up. After serving he hopes to major in Criminal Justice and become a police officer!
Ethan is an active member in his church, as well. As a member for the past 7 years, he attends weekly services with his family, and he participates in the youth group.
Ethan’s home club is the Southeast Branch where Ms. Joycelyn Downing is the Club Director. He has been going to the Boys & Girls Club for 5 years. During this time he has been very active in the Learning Center, Art Center and Gym. Ethan participates in Photography and Arts & Crafts, the Junior Staff Program, and the Reading Club. He can be found participating in Triple Play Healthy Habits and Challenges in the gym. Ethan loves to go to Camp Graham Ball during the summer and he looks forward to swimming at the Central club’s pool during the hot summer months.
Club Director Ms. Downing states, “Young Ethan has been through a lot in his life. His ability to hold on to his values during a time of troubles is admirable. Ethan’s strength and maturity is an inspiration to everyone.”
Taylor Brantley is a member of the Northwest Branch where Mr. Jerry Taylor is the Director. She is the 13 year old daughter of Stacy & Cory Bruce. Taylor has one younger sister and two younger brothers. She helps out his family at home by keeping her room cleaned, cooking meals, and by washing the family’s dishes. Further, she also is responsible for putting out the trash and helping take care of her younger siblings!
Taylor is an 8th grader and carries above a 3.5 GPA. Taylor’s favorite subject is Language Arts! She is a member of the volleyball program, and she states that “school is important because it will help us grow to become leaders.” Taylor plans to attend MSU and obtain a bachelor’s degree.
She is an active member within her community, and enjoys volunteering each year for Teens Make a Difference Day projects.
Taylor has served as an active member and role model within his Boys & Girls Club for nearly 8 years now. Some of her favorite programs include Photography and Arts & Crafts (where she has even received awards for her talents!), the Reading program, and the Goals for Growth program. She also serves as a Peer Leader through the Junior Staff Program, she is an officer in the Keystone Club, participates in Smart Moves, Kids in Control, and the SMART Girls programs. As if she weren’t busy enough, Taylor can also be found participating in the Triple Play & Healthy Habits programs, swimming, and has attended the Camp Graham Ball summer camp program. Taylor is also a previous youth of the month and continues to maintain her good status in the Club!
Club Director Jerry Taylor says “Taylor is a natural leader and her character is one that we always need within the Club. She enjoys helping serve the younger youth, and she is well respected. She strives to be the best she can be, and she is a great role model for her siblings and the other youth.”