The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce April Youths of the Month. Tanajah Watkins, of the Southeast Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Xiaya Canda, of the Northeast Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Kalieyah Mollice, of the Northwest Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month.
The 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, Steve Priester (Rotary Club of Wichita Falls) and Carlos Martinez (Optimist Club of Wichita Falls) considered the following categories 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:
- Edward Neal, Rosewood Branch
- SpottedEagle Tallchief Northeast Branch
- Dawade Anderson, Northwest Branch
- Caydence Rhodes, Southwest Branch
- Tanajah Watkins, Southeast Branch
- Xzavier Berryhill, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Zachary Collins, Rosewood Branch
- Xiaya Canda, Northeast Branch
- Hayden Bruce, Northwest Branch
- Cortaizia Beaver, Southwest Branch
- Barbara Calixto, Southeast Branch
- Analeah Ruiz Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Quinton Hawkins, Rosewood Branch
- Fernando Villagomez, Northeast Branch
- Kalieyah Mollice, Northwest Branch
- Stacee Shepherd Southwest Branch
- Anthony Davis, Southeast Branch
Generous sponsors include: Marco’s Pizza and Times/Record News
Tanajah is the 8-year-old granddaughter of Shirley Landers. Tanajah has two sisters and two brothers. She attends the Southeast Branch Club where Ms. Joycelyn Downing is Club Director.
Tanajah is a big help to her grandmother. She helps around the house and clean takes pride in keeping her room clean and organized. Tanajah helps in the kitchen with meal preparations and does her part in the outside yard work as well as taking care of the family dog.
As a 3rd grader at Southern Hills Elementary, Tanajah works to keep her A/B average. She says math class is her favorite class and says school is important because “we learn and get an education”. Tanajah is in the cooking club in school and enjoys eating what they make!
The Boys & Girls Club is one of her favorite places to be with many opportunities to talk and socialize with her friends. She enjoys Arts and Crafts, Photography, and Reading Programs. Learning Center activities like Club Tech and Power Hour keep her busy as well. She consistently demonstrates good morals in the Club. She treats other members like she wants them to treat her.
Club Director Joycelyn Downing said, “Tanajah has a contagious smile and brings her membership card every day!”
Xiaya is the 10-year old daughter of Leenette Williams. She has one sister and one brother. Xiaya helps around the house, keeps her room cleaned, and does her share of the yard work. She has been known to wash dishes after meals! Xiayah also takes out the trash weekly.
Xiaya is a 4th grade student at Scotland Park Elementary where she maintains an A/B average. She says math is her favorite subject. She is a member of the “Book Club” and volunteers for the Safety Patrol. Xiaya believes school is important because “it gives you an opportunity to learn more and get ready for college”. She says she wants to be a veterinarian so she can help animals.
Xiaya’s home club is the Northeast Branch where Ms. Kayla Owens is the Assistant Club Director. Xiaya has been going to the Boys & Girls Club for four years. During her time at the club, she has been very active in various areas in and out of the club. Xiaya is a participant in the Club’s Photography and Fine Arts Programs. She consistently participates in Power Hour and the Club Tech Program as well. Xiaya enjoys being a part of Triple Play Healthy Habits and loves swimming at Central in the Summer time.
Xiaya is a member of the YMCA and she keeps a Church membership at Mt. Pleasant Church where she has been a member for three years.
Assistant Director Ms. Owens said, “Xiaya has potential to become a great leader, always keeping a positive attitude while encouraging others to do the same!”
Kalieyah is a member of the Northwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Director. She is the daughter of Kenya Marzett. She has two sisters, ages 14 and 9.
Kalieyah is a 9th grader at Rider High School whose favorite subject is English. She hopes to become a Cosmetologist. She is a member of the school’s choir and Dance Team. She believes school is important because “she wants to achieve goals for her future”.
Kalieyah has been a member of Life Tabernacle Church for the past four years. She has also recently participated in Teens Make a Difference Day Events and goes to Straight Street.
Kalieyah attended the Boys & Girls Club for five years and has experience in all areas of the Club. Some of her favorite programs are Arts & Crafts, Photography, Junior Staff, and serving as a Peer Leader. She is a Smart Girl participant and enjoys the Reading Programs in the Learning Center.
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Kalieya shows her greatest strength when she is showing her peers how to be leaders”.