The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce March Youths of the Month. Brycen Moreno, of the Southeast Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Ramona Rainbolt, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Samuel Walker, of the Northeast Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month.
Service clubs sponsor three age divisions. Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls sponsors ages 6-8. Optimist of Wichita Falls sponsors ages 9-11. Rotary Club of Wichita Falls sponsors ages 12-18.
Interviewers John Deason, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls and Patrick Martin, representing the 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:
- Denisha King, Rosewood Branch
- No submission, Northeast Branch
- Jude Day,, Northwest Branch
- Brycen Moreno, Southeast Branch
- Brooklyn Castillo, Southwest Branch
- Tziyon Simmons, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Jamizah Brown, Rosewood Branch
- Teshun Robinson, Northeast Branch
- Camillia Mckinnon, Northwest Branch
- Briana Morriss, Southeast Branch
- Ramona Rainbolt, Southwest Branch
- Rafael Ortiz Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Brandon Evans, Rosewood Branch
- Samuel Walker, Northeast Branch
- Koolio Tobin, Northwest Branch
- Kolbi Cox, Southeast Branch
- Beauti Johnson, Southwest Branch
- Jaime Martinez, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Marco’s Pizza and Times/Record News
Brycen Moreno is the 7-year-old son of David and Cassie Moreno. He attends the Southeast Branch Club where Mr. Troy Turner is Assistant Club Director.
Brycen has two brothers ages 5 and 7. He is a big help to his mom with the house work, washing dishes, and keeping his room clean. He helps out with the yard work and helps care for his little 5-year-old brother. Brycen can also be found carrying in the groceries and helping with fold the laundry. He says he is thankful to God for what he has and in turn tries to be nice to all people.
Brycen is a 2nd grade student at Southern Hills Elementary where he is proud to hold an “A/B” student report card. He says Mathematics is his favorite subject. Brycen says, “School is important because if you keep going, it makes you smarter and smarter.”
Brycen’s behavior while at the Club is outstanding and he attends the Club on a regular basis. While at the Club, he gets involved in all areas and enjoys helping out at the front desk. He has a great sense of humor and likes to make others laugh. Brycen is involved in Power Hour Homework Help, Reading Programs, and Art Programs. He also participates in Healthy Habits, Club Tech, Smart Moves, and Triple Play Challenges.
Club staff say, “Brycen is honest and caring in all of his Club interactions.”
Ramona Rainbolt is the 12-year-old daughter of Louis and Brenda Rainbolt. She has 3 brothers and 1 sister. Ramona’s home club is the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is Director. She helps her mom by keeping her room, cleaning the house, helping with meals, and washing dishes.
As a 7tth grader at McNiel Jr. High, Ramona has an average 3.5 GPA. Her favorite class is Science. She says, “Education is important to have a successful life.” Ramona plays the flute in the school’s band and enjoys being involved in Drama Class. She hopes to attend College at MSU and wants to teach art.
Ramona has attended the Boys & Girls Club for four years. During her time at the Club she has been very involved in a variety of programs. She enjoys being a Jr. Staffer helping others who need help checking out games. Ramona is in the Torch Club and participates in Power Hour, Kids in Control, Goals for Growth, and Reading Programs in the Learning Center. She is also active in Triple Play Challenges and enjoys Arts and Crafts in the art room.
Ramona has attended 1st Baptist Church with her family for the past seven years and is involved with its youth groups. She is also active in Parks & Recreation programs as well as a member at Straight Street.
Director Ms. Tori Smith said, “Ramona is such a sweet young lady and a great helper!”
Samuel Walker is the 14-year-old son of Evone Genus. He attends the Northeast Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mr. Kim Ball is Director.
Samuel has one sister who is 18 years old and one brother who is 20. He cleans his room and helps with the whole house. Sam also helps in the kitchen with cooking meals to washing and putting away the dishes. He is a very proud uncle and helps his sister with caring for her new baby.
Sam’s community involvement has always been strong but increases with age. He has served at the Kiwanis Club Pancake festival, attended the Health Departments’ Anti-Smoking Teen Summit, and been selected at an Optimist Club Youth of the Year. Sam has also participated in Earth Day by helping to clean up a city park. He also served as an Ambassador in the Parks & Recreation Dept.’s Ambassadors & Sisterettes at the Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast. Sam has attended St. Paul Baptist Church for seven years and is active in Sunday school and the choir. He has also served as an usher as a part of the Youth Group.
Sam has maintained 3.5 + GPA and is now a 9th grader at student at Rider High School. He enjoys Mathematics and plans a career with the Air Force as an officer.
Sam is very involved in his Boys & Girls Club. He has been active in Boys & Girls Clubs basketball and football programs and enjoys gym activities. He is a Peer Leader, a Junior Staffer, and a Keystone Club member and has enjoyed several years of Camp Graham Ball. Sam has won several awards in the annual Fine Arts Exhibit hosted by the Museum at MSU.
Northeast Boys & Girls Club Director Kim Ball said, “Sam is a great leader and deserves special recognition for all he has achieved this year.”