The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce June Youths of the Month. Lilyane Montano, of the Southwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Jaylynn Smith, of the Southwest Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Amaia Martin, of the Southwest Branch, is the Rotary Club of Wichita FallsYouth of the Month.
The 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. These young people during their June luncheons this month.
Interviewers, Warren Gardner (Rotary Club of Wichita Falls) and Paul Hopkins, (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:
- Majesity Byers, Rosewood Branch
- A’mariyah Cook Northeast Branch
- Anaria Anderson, Northwest Branch
- Lilyane Montano, Southwest Branch
- Gizelle Goffney, Southeast Branch
- Brycen Burns, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Cayven Hull, Rosewood Branch
- Damari Williams, Northeast Branch
- Constictean Olsen, Northwest Branch
- Jaylynn Smith, Southwest Branch
- Jaleah Gallmore, Southeast Branch
- Taylor Smith Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- J`ohn Weathersby, Rosewood Branch
- Tarion Cook, Northeast Branch
- Naja Senghor, Northwest Branch
- Amaia Martin Southwest Branch
- Nicholas(Giovanni) Read, Southeast Branch
Generous sponsors for June include: TACO CASA and Times/Record News
Lilyane Montano is the 8-year-old daughter of Jesus and Caroline Montano. She has one younger sister and an older brother. She attends the Southwest Branch Club where Ms. Tori Smith is Club Director.
Lilyane is always helping around the house and keeping her room clean. She also helps by keeping up with the needs of three dogs, one cat, and a guinea pig. Lilyane helps in the kitchen and does her part in keeping an eye on her 6-year-old brother.
As a 3rd grader at Jefferson Elementary, Lilyane works hard to maintain her A/B average. She says her math class is her favorite and believes school is important because “it helps me to learn and I love learning”.
Lilyane enjoys the many opportunities the Club affords her to talk and socialize with her friends. She enjoys Arts and Crafts, Club Tech, and the Triple Play Healthy Habits Programs.
Club Director Tori Smith said, “Lilyane is such a sweet spirit, so nice to others and a leader in all areas of the Club!”
Jaylynn Smith is the 11-year old daughter of Kim McNeil. She has one 2-year-old sister and 9-year-old brother. Jaylynn helps out around the house. She works hard to keep her room, which she shares with her 2-year-old sister, clean and organized. She also feeds and waters the family dog. She has even been known to help put out the trash! One of her biggest responsibilities is to keep up with her baby sister.
Jaylynn is a 6th grade student at Kirby Middle School where she maintains a better than 3.5 GPA. Math is her favorite subject. Jaylynn is a member of the band and choir. Jaylynn believes school is important because “if you learn, it will take you far”. She says she wants to make a difference someday by working with children and owning her own child care facility.
Jaylynn’s home Club is the Southwest Branch where Ms. Tori Smith is the Club Director. She has been going to the Boys & Girls Club for four years during which time she has been very active in the Learning Center. Jaylynn is a participant in Reading Programs, Power Hour, Fine Arts, as well as the Club Tech Computer Program. She enjoys being involved in the Junior Staff Leadership Club and volunteers as a helper in the Kids Café Food Program. She also enjoys Triple Play Healthy Habits and Challenges in the Gym.
Director Tori Smith said, “Jaylynn has such a big heart! She loves to help everyone!!”
Amaia Martin is a member of the Southwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Ms. Tori Smith is Director.
Amaia is the daughter of Staci Martin and has a one 19-year-old sister and one 14-year-old brother.
Amaia is a 10th grader at Rider High School carrying a better than 3.5 GPA and whose favorite subject is Foreign Language. She is a member of both the Debate and Choir Programs. Amaia believes an education will get you further in your chosen career field. She would like to become a teacher and someday attain a Master’s Degree.
Amaia Martin been a member of Heritage Assembly of God Church for seven years. She has served as an usher and attends Sunday school. She is very community oriented and has volunteered in Teens Make a Difference Day Events, Humane Society, and the Wichita Falls Food Bank. Amaia has also volunteered to help clean up a city park and helps at a Nursing Home.
Amaia Martin is working on her 9th year as a Boys & Girls Club member and has experience in all areas of the Club. Favorite programs include Arts & Crafts, Power Hour Homework Help, and the Club Tech Computer Programs. She serves as a Peer Leader, Junior Staff, and volunteers to help younger members with homework help in the Power Hour Program. She is also an officer holder in the Keystone Club.
Club Director Tori Smith said, “Amaia loves helping other kids. She is appreciated for her leadership and guidance skills. She can effectively run any department in the Club.”