The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce July Youths of the Month. Ashleigh Demeritt, of the Southeast Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Emma Elmore, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Amaia Martin, also of the Southwest 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 Warren Gardner, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and David Cook, 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:
- SirAndre Cotton, Rosewood Branch
- Claude Pitts, Jr, Northeast Branch
- Jonelle Reece, Northwest Branch
- Ashleigh Demeritt, Southeast Branch
- Mara Blackmon, Southwest Branch
- Jayla Abernathy, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Kierra Brown, Rosewood Branch
- Mar’Kayja Delaney, Northeast Branch
- Amarion Peterson, Northwest Branch
- Fidel Esquivel, Southeast Branch
- Emma Elmore, Southwest Branch
- Jaime Martinez, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- John Weathersby, Rosewood Branch
- No candidate, Northeast Branch
- Ronnie Esslinger, Northwest Branch
- Giovanni Read, Southeast Branch
- Amaia Martin, Southwest Branch
- Justin Caskey, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Taco Casa and Times/Record News
Ashleign Demeritt is the 7-year-old daughter of Nichole Horner. She attends the Southeast Branch Club where Mr. Troy Turner is Club Director.
Ashleign is a big help to her mom helping with the house work, washing dishes, and keeping her room clean. She also helps out with the laundry, caring for the family pet, and carries in the groceries. She attends Turning Point of Grace Church with her mom and enjoys Sunday school.
As a 2nd grade student at Southern Hills Elementary, Ashleign is a straight “A” student and says Science is her favorite subject. She says, “School is important because it makes my brain smart so I can get a good job.”
Ashleign shows exemplary behavior while at the Club. She is involved in all areas of the Club including Power Hour Homework Help, Reading Programs, Fine Arts, Healthy Habits, and swimming. Ashleign demonstrates a positive attitude towards everyone she meets. She enjoys interacting with her friends while at the Club. She helps other members with procedural rules of the Club, particularly in learning the rules of the games offered. Ashleign is also on an indoor soccer team.
Club staff say, “Ashleign treats everyone with fairness and cares about the feelings of others.”
Emma Elmore is the 10-year-old daughter of Brady Elmore and Lacey Lucido. Emma’s home Club is the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is Director.
Emma has household chores which she shares with her two brothers. Some of her responsibilities include keeping her room clean, helping with the various tasks around the house, and caring for the family pet.
As a 6th grader at Archer City Elementary Emma is maintaining a report card with all A’s. Her favorite class is Math and she says, “You would not get anywhere in life without first getting good schooling.” Emma is in the Anti-Bullying Club and plays the trumpet in the school band!
Emma has attended the Boys & Girls Club for the last 2 years. During that time, she has been very involved in service programs. She enjoys being a Jr. Staffer and assisting others in checking out games room items or helping new members who need to be shown around the Club. Emma is an officer in the Torch Club and participates in Power Hour, Smart Moves, 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.
Emma attends Colonial Community Church with her family. She is active in Children’s Church and Sunday School. Emma is also a member of the YMCA program and enjoys playing Baseball. She has been a part of the annual Teens Make a Difference Events to help others in the community of Wichita Falls.
Director Ms. Tori Smith said, “Emma is one of our top Junior Staffers due in part to her great attitude and her ability to do great work!”
Amaia Martin is the 13-year-old daughter of Staci Bailey. She attends the Southwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Tori Smith is Director.
Amaia has an 18-year-old sister and a 13 year-old brother. Amaia does it all around the house. She not only cleans her room but also helps with the whole house. She helps in the kitchen by cooking meals, cleaning up afterwards, and washing dishes. Amaia cleans the family car as well as washing and puting away the laundry.
Amaia is a 7 year member of Heritage Assembly of God Church. Her spiritual beliefs are evident in her every day personal interactions. She is involved with Childrens Church and the youth group activities. As a civic minded teenager, Amaia has been involved in several Teens Make a Difference Day projects as well as volunteered at the Humane Society, the Homeless Shelter, and the Wichita Falls Food Bank.
As a 9th grade student at Rider High school, Amaia maintains a 3.5 + GPA. Her favorite subject is Math and she is a member of the National Junior Honors Society. She also enjoys her time in the Choir, Arts Level II, and her Broadcast Journalism Class. Amaia hopes to attain her Master’s Degree at Texas A&M and to one day be in the Culinary Arts and practice cooking as a chef.
Amaia is very involved in her Boys & Girls Club. From her early days the signs of leadership were evident. She is a Peer Leader, a Junior Staffer, and a Torch Club member. Amaia has won several awards in both the Photography and Fine Arts Programs. She volunteers for Kids Café, Power Hour Homework Help, and helps as a monitor on field trips. She is presently Vice President of the Torch Club and serves on several committees. Amaia is active in Reading Programs, Club Tech, Smart Girls, Triple Play Challenges, and Healthy Habits.
Southwest Boys & Girls Club Director Tori Smith said, “Amaia is a great helper and leader and capable of running departments even at her young age.”