The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce January Youths of the Month. Jaydance Triggs, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Youth of the Month. Deondre Shepherd, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Aniyah Jones, of the Northwest Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month.
The 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. These young people will be honored during their January luncheons this month.
Interviewers, Cliff Harris ( Rotary Club of Wichita Falls) and Dr. Keith Lamb, ( 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:
- Javarius Allen, Rosewood Branch
- Jonasia Carroll, Northeast Branch
- Jaydance Triggs, Northwest Branch
- Audrina Griego, Southwest Branch
- Antworion Gates, Southeast Branch
- Devin Pope, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Ayannah Young, Rosewood Branch
- Damari Williams, Northeast Branch
- George Melton, Northwest Branch
- Deondre Shepherd, Southwest Branch
- Fay Webb, Southeast Branch
- Elyna Orue’ Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Alexsys Frazier, Rosewood Branch
- Shaun Burns, Northeast Branch
- Aniyah Jones, Northwest Branch
- Amiah Contreras Southwest Branch
- Shanda Larsen, Southeast Branch
- Adriana Ortiz, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Jaydance is the 8-year-old son of Karen Triggs. He attends the Northwest Branch Club where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Club Director.
Jaydance has two sisters ages 6 and 15. Jaydance is very helpful around the house to his mom. He helps with outside yard work and taking out the trash. His mother says he is the man of the house and very helpful in keeping up with his younger sister.
As a 3rd grader at City View Elementary, Jaydance is a great student and is proud of his A/B average. He really enjoys his reading class and believes school is important ‘because it teaches us how to become successful’.
Jaydance’s key word to describe himself is respectful. He once found a $20 bill on the Boys & Girls Club bus and without hesitation turned it in to the front desk at the Club he attends!
The Boys & Girls Club affords Jaydance many opportunities to make new friends and demonstrate his reliability. He plays in Boys & Girls Club athletic league football. Jaydance participates in the Photography and Fine Arts Programs, Power Hour Homework Help, Club Tech, and Reading Programs. He also enjoys getting involved in Triple Play Challenges and Healthy Habits.
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Jaydance displays great leadership skills and is a great asset to our staff while at the Club!”
Deondre is the 10-year-old son of Stacee & LaQuisha Shepherd. He has three brothers ages 13, 14, and 17. Deondre helps around the house and has even been known to wash dishes after meals! He also takes out the trash as well as taking care of his own laundry including folding and putting his clothes away.
Deondre’s home Club is the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is Club Director. He has attended the Southwest Boys & Girls Club for the past five years. During his time at the Club he has been very involved in various areas in and out of the Club. Deondre participates in the football and basketball programs. He is an active participant in the Jr. Staff leadership program and enjoys reading programs in the Learning Center. He has also actively participated in Arts and Crafts Programs/activities, Power hour, Club Tech, and Passport to Manhood.
Deondre is a member of Evangel Temple where he attends with his dad/mom. He is involved with the church’s youth group and Sunday school.
Director Ms. Tori Smith said, “Deondre is excelling in all areas of the Club. He is courteous and very helpful!”
Aniyah is a member of the Northwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Paige Senghor is Assistant Director. She is the daughter of Carmen Jones and has three sisters and three brothers. Four of her siblings are younger than her so Aniyah is frequently called on to set examples and help with supervision.
As an 8th grader at Kirby World Academy, Aniya is involved in Math Club and the Science Team. She maintains a better than 3.5 GPA and says English is her favorite subject. Aniyah is in the school choir and participates in Basketball, Track & Field, and Volleyball. She says school is important because ‘we actually have a chance to take advantage of free schooling’.
She has been a member of 1st Baptist Church for the past four years where she works in the nursery and is also involved with the church choir. Through YMCA, Youth Opportunity Center, and Camp Fire programs Aniyah is involved in other ways in her community. She has also traditionally participated in Teens Make a Difference Day Events.
Aniyah Jones has been attending Northwest since 2010 and has experience in every department. Some of her favorite programs are Smart Girls, Power Hour, and reading programs in the Learning Center. She enjoys Triple Play Challenges, basketball, and hanging out with her friends in the gym.
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Aniyah’s caring nature & personality allow her to work well with others in team settings. She has dependability and great leadership qualities.”