The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce July Youths of the Month. Mikedra Hansboro, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Za’nya Curry, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. James Stevens, of the Southeast Branch, is the Rotary Club of WF-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 Jeff Pendley, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls and Barbara Lyne, 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:
- Precious Nzeh-Biko, Rosewood Branch
- J’Quan Carroll, Northeast Branch
- Mikedra Hansboro, Northwest Branch
- Je’Mariyah Sneed, Southeast Branch
- Zachary Gonzales, Southwest Branch
- Serena Catalan, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- DeAndre Jones, Rosewood Branch
- Ziaya Canada, Northeast Branch
- Asia Ford, Northwest Branch
- Llahna Jones, Southeast Branch
- Za’nya Curry, Southwest Branch
- Letycia Mora, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Zamauria Jackson, Rosewood Branch
- Samuel Walker, Northeast Branch
- Felicia Davis, Northwest Branch
- James Stevens, Southeast Branch
- Caleb Miranda, Southwest Branch
- Dominick Dejesso, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Mikedra Hansboro is the 7 year old daughter of Kyun Hansboro. She attends the Northwest Branch where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Club Director.
Mikedra has a two brothers and one sister. Mikedra attends St. John’s Baptist Church where she sings in the children’s choir, is involved with the youth group, and helps in the nursery!
Mikedra attends City View Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. She has all A’s on her report card and enjoys singing in her choir class. She says, “School is important because it prepares you for life.”
As a Boys & Girls Club kid, Mikedra is helpful to her peers and the staff who work there. She gets involved in activities and programs all over the Club including Arts and Crafts, Photography, Power Hour Homework Help, Computer Tech, and Reading Programs. In the gym she participates in Triple Play Challenges and Healthy Habits, and Smart Girls.
Director Jerry Taylor said, “Mikedra displays a positive attitude looks for opportunities to lead.”
Za’nya Curry is the 10 year old daughter of Jerome and Nichole Jefferson. Za’nya’s home club is the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is the Director.
Za’nya has one sister and two brothers. She does a great job of helping with the household chores and is often found helping her mom with meals and cleaning up afterward. Za’nya also keeps up with her 7 year old sister and helping mom with her one year old brother. She has also shown that she knows how to take out the trash and clean out the car.
Za’nya is a 4th grader at Jefferson Elementary where she is maintaining a 3.5 GPA. She enjoys her Language Arts class more than any other and says, “School is important because it helps me with my education”. Za’nya’s interests are in the field of drama. She plans on attending Midwestern University after graduating High School.
Za’nya is a two year veteran of the Boys & Girls Club and has been very active in a variety of departments and programs. She has enjoyed participating in the Fine Arts Program, Power Hour, Club Tech, Reading Programs, Peer Leaders, and Torch Club. She serves as a Junior Staffer to develop her leadership skills. Healthy Habits and Triple Play Challenges in the gym are other fun things Za’nya does as a member of the Club. As a Youth of the Month Club leader she is always there to help manage special events and daily tournaments.
Director Tori Smith said, “Za’nya is always lighting up the room with her smile and she loves to help others!”
James Stevens is the 16 year old son of Jerry & Susan Stevens. He attends the Southeast Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Charlene is Branch Director.
James has two adult sisters and three adult brothers. James lives on a farm and is very helpful to his mom and dad. He helps his mom by cleaning around the house and keeping his room clean and picked up. James also helps with meal preparations, cleaning up afterwards, laundry, and taking care of the family pet. He also takes care of the family’s chickens, takes out trash, and helps with the care of elderly family members.
James attends Wichita Falls Baptist church and has been a member for the past seven years. He considers himself to be a very morally upright young man and prides himself in making good choices based on his spiritual upbringing. James is also a civic minded teenager who has been active in a number of organizations including Boy Scouts, Parks & Recreation Programs, and Race for the Cure, and 4-H Club. He has also been a regular at the annual Teens Make a Difference community service day.
As a home schooled teenager James is at the 12 grade level and has worked diligently to maintain a high grade point average. His preferred subject is History. He also participates in Theatre and plays the piano. James enjoys track and field, running cross country, basketball, and volleyball. He has been very active in the Homeschool Athletic Program at Southeast. James says, “School is important because knowledge is the future”.
James has also been a great junior staff in the Club setting. If staff members need help lifting, carrying, or cleaning anything James is always ready to assist. He loves playing pool, ping pong, carpet bowling, and foosball. He is also one of the members who sets up and takes down the volleyball nets before and after volleyball games and practices. James also assists in orienting new homeschool members to the Boys & Girls Club. He helps coach younger members who need improvement with their skills and techniques. His caring and influential leadership is astounding!
Club Director Charlene Donaghey-Vomastek said, “James is a wonderful member who takes pride in making sure his Boys & Girls Club is a better place, for all kids!”