The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce March Youths of the Month. Tiana Allen of the Northeast Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Katrina Bennett, of the Central Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Jacey Hamilton, of the Central 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 Hannah Fryer, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and Jeff Pendley, 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:
- Dominic Mims, Rosewood Branch
- Tiana Allen, Northeast Branch
- Jordin Wilburn, Northwest Branch
- Kaleigh Smith, Southeast Branch
- Bella Isabella, Southwest Branch
- Abigail Peysen, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Annetrell Mims, Rosewood Branch
- Willie Thomas, Northeast Branch
- Gabrielle Orduno, Northwest Branch
- Israel Villegas, Southeast Branch
- Braylon Williamson, Southwest Branch
- Katrina Bennet, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- K’Desmond Dorsey, Rosewood Branch
- Roshana Robinson, Northeast Branch
- Nadir Senghor, Northwest Branch
- Leonardo Galvan, Southeast Branch
- Cintia Vickery, Southwest Branch
- Jacey Hamilton, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Taco Casa and Times/Record News
Tiana Allen is the eight year old daughter of Stephanie Allen. She attends the Northeast Branch where Mr. Kimbrough Ball is Club Director.
Tiana has one six year old sister. She is very helpful around the house and enjoys helping her mom keep track of her little brother. Sometimes she can be found helping in the kitchen. Additional duties include taking out the trash and keeping her room clean. Tiana has attended Pilgrims’ Rest Church with her mom for the past three years.
Tiana attends Scotland Park Elementary as a 2nd grade student where she proudly maintains A’s and some B’s on her report card. Her favorite class is Art because she enjoys painting and doing special projects. Tiana says, “School is important because you get to learn!”
Tiana has been attending the Boys & Girls Club for the past two years. She enjoys participating in the Learning Center with Miss Jessica were she is involved in Healthy Habits, Smart Girls, and Kids in Control. Her favorite thing to do is participate in the Fine Arts Program while at the Club.
Director Kim Ball said, “Tiana is very responsible for her age, always doing her homework before playing.”
Katrina Bennett is the 11 year old daughter of Priscilla Rivas. She attends the Central Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Barbara Green is Director.
Katrina lives with her mom and three sisters. She is a very big help to her single parent mom. Her responsibilities at home include, keeping her room clean, washing dishes, and putting dishes away afterward. Katrina also helps get the trash out for pickup and helps with the family pet.
As a 5th grader at Zundy Elementary School, Katrina maintains an above average 3.5 GPA. Math is her favorite subject and she enjoys sports participation in Soccer, Volleyball, and Basketball. She is a member of the Student Council. She has aspirations of becoming a Doctor someday.
Katrina has been a dependable Boys & Girls Club member for the past four years and is most active in gym programs and activities like Triple Play Challenges and basketball games. She can also be found participating in Arts and Crafts Programming, Power Hour, Club Tech, and swimming. Other programs that she enjoys include Reading, Healthy Habits, and Torch Club.
Director Barbara Green said, “Katrina is a bright, smart and determined youth member eager to take on responsibility!”
Jacey Hamilton is the 14 year old granddaughter of Suzette and Terry Hamilton. She attends the Central Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Barbara Green is Director.
Jacey is one of five children. The others are brothers, two of which are younger. She is big on helping around her grandparents’ house taking by taking out the trash, caring for the needs of pets, and keeping her room clean.
Jacey is a two year member of First Baptist Church. She rides the bus and attends at least twice a month at “The Rock”. She is a very morally upright young lady and chooses to do the right thing based on her spiritual beliefs. As community minded teenager, Jacey has been very active in a number of events including Teens Make a Difference Days and Straight Street activities.
Jacey is an 8th grade student at Barwise Jr. High School and is maintaining a 4.0 + GPA. Her favorite subject is Math and participates in Drama Club, Volleyball, Basketball, and she runs Cross Country on the Track and Field Team. Jacey believes she will shape her future through her education and school. She is interested in serving in the health care field as a registered nurse and hopes to achieve a Master’s level in education.
Jacey is going on her sixth year as a Club Kid and has been involved in a variety of Club Programs to include organized basketball, Power Hour, Peer leader, reading programs, Torch/Keystone leadership Clubs, Triple Play Challenges, swimming, and Graham Ball Summer Camp.
Club Director Barbara Green said, “Jacey is a great leader who seeks out opportunities to use her skills and talents!”