The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce May Youths of the Month. Serena Contreras, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Madelyn Land, of the Southeast Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Analeyce Nickels, 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 Steve Priester, representing the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and Paul Hopkins, 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:
- Adrianelle Johnson Rosewood Branch
- James Smith, Northeast Branch
- Serena Contreras, Northwest Branch
- Ella Parker, Southeast Branch
- Easton Drullinger, Southwest Branch
- Elsy Zuniga, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- De’irre Sumpter, Rosewood Branch
- Demone Contee, Northeast Branch
- Jalynn Smith, Northwest Branch
- Madelyn Land, Southeast Branch
- Bianca Collier, Southwest Branch
- Taylor Brantley, Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Carl Adams, Rosewood Branch
- Jerimiah Burton, Northeast Branch
- Sylvia Dennis, Northwest Branch
- Christopher Vomastek, Southeast Branch
- Yasmin Vazquez, Southwest Branch
- Analeyce Nickels, Central Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Serena is the 8 year old daughter of Dayna Salazar. She attends the Northwest Branch Club where Miss Joycelyn Downing is Assistant Club Director.
Serena has one sister. She is a big help to her mom with the house work, washing dishes, and keeping her room cleaned and picked up. Serena takes out the trash and sometimes helps take care of the yardwork.
Serena says, “I thank God each and every day for what He has done for me.” She demonstrates a positive attitude towards others around her. She recalled a time when she found a purse and turned it in to the front desk so they could find its rightful owner. Serena believes that the Bible teaches you to be a better person.
Serena goes to Kate Burgess Elementary and is in the 3rd grade. She is proud to be a straight ‘A’ student and enjoys her Reading class more than any other. She says, “School is important because it prepares us for life.”
As a Boys & Girls Club kid, Serena is involved in activities and programs all over the Club. Some these include Power Hour Homework Help, Reading Programs, and Fine Arts Programs. In the gym she participated in Triple Play Challenges Healthy Habits and Swimming. She really enjoys interacting with her peers.
Director’s Assistant Joycelyn Downing said, “Serena is a positive influence and developing into quite a leader in the Club.”
Madelyn is the 10 year-old daughter of Christopher and Amy Land. Madelyn’s home club is the Southeast Branch where Ms. Charlene Donaghey-Vomastek is the Director.
Madelyn shares the household chores with her 14 year-old brother and can be found helping her mom in the kitchen, preparing meals, and cleaning up afterwards. Madelyn also dusts, vacuums the house, cleans the car, and helps with the yard work.
As a 5th grader at Southern Hills Elementary she is maintaining a 3.5 GPA, her favorite class is Science. She says, “School is important because I want to go to college and become a teacher.” Madelyn is in the school’s choir, safety patrol, and D.A.R.E. Program.
Madelyn has attended the Club for the last five years. During her five years she has been involved in a variety of programs including athletic league basketball and Triple Play Challenges/Healthy Habits. She also has produced art work for the Fine Arts Exhibit and received awards in the annual Photography Program. Madelyn is a Peer Leader and a Junior Staffer and has helped her peers whenever needed. She is in the Reader’s group club. She intends to attain a bachelor’s degree at Midwestern State University and become a teacher.
Wichita Falls Baptist Church is where Madelyn has gone to Church for the past six years. She attends Children’s Church, serves on Committees, sings duets with her mother in the church, and is active with the youth group.
Director Charlene said, “Madelyn is very active and engaging in all departments!”
Analeyce is the 14 year-old daughter of Arthur & Francis Williams. She attends the Central Branch of Boys & Girls Club where Mrs. Barbara Green is Branch Director.
Analeyce has attended Life Tabernacle Church for the past year. She participates in Straight Street, YMCA, Parks and Recreation, and Camp Fire Programs.
As a 7th grader at Barwise Leadership Academy, Analeyce has maintained a 3.5 or better GPA and says science is her favorite subject. She is a member of the school choir, Book Club, and is a class officer. Analeyce is also very athletic and is on the Volleyball, Basketball, and Track teams. She says, “School is important so I can learn just what to do with my future!” Analeyce would like to attend Midwestern State University and is interested in the field of Dentistry.
When at the Boys & Girls Club, Analeyce has held leaderships in the Torch and Keystone Clubs. She also participates in several groups including Power Hour, Computer Tech, Photography, Fine Arts, and Triple Play Challenges/Healthy Habits. She has participated in Smart Girls, Reading Programs, and has gone to Camp Graham Ball.
Director Barbara Green said, “Analeyce is a teenager who enjoys helping others and is a big asset to club staff!”