The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls is proud to announce January Youths of the Month. Kameron Ames, of the Northwest Branch, is the Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Trinity Cook, of the Northeast Branch, is the Optimist Club of Wichita Falls Youth of the Month. Kristal Melton, 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 year. Optimist of Wichita Falls sponsors ages 9-11. Rotary Club of Wichita Falls sponsors ages 12-18.
Interviewers Bob Hampton (Rotary Club of WF) and Ty Graves (Optimist Club of WF) 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:
- Ja’ravion Neal, Rosewood Branch
- No candidate, Northeast Branch
- Kameron Ames, Northwest Branch
- Ethan Johnston, Southwest Branch
- Pandora Tello, Southeast Branch
- Annaliece Lucas, Central Branch
Nominees for the Optimist Division included:
- Carrion Escort, Rosewood Branch
- Ean Beasley, Northeast Branch
- Shannon Brantley, Northwest Branch
- Alyssa Biffle, Southwest Branch
- Kaleigh Smith, Southeast Branch
- Trinity Cook Central Branch
Nominees for the Rotary Division included:
- Sparkle Cowart, Rosewood Branch
- Jerimiah Burton, Northeast Branch
- Kristal Melton, Northwest Branch
- Jordan Ellingson Southwest Branch
- Shanda Larsen, Southeast Branch
Generous sponsors include: Chicken Express and Times/Record News
Kameron Ames is the 6-year-old son of Chantal Pye. Kameron has one 8-year-old brother and one 6-year-old sister. He attends the Northwest Branch Club where Mr. Jerry Taylor is Club Director.
Kameron is a big help to his mother, helping out around the house and cleaning his room. He helps in the kitchen and does his part in the outside yard work.
As a 1st grader at Kate Burgess Elementary, Kameron works to keep his straight A’s average. He says he enjoys his spelling class more than any other and believes school is important because “it helps us learn new things”.
Kameron enjoys the many opportunities the Club affords him to talk and socialize with his friends. He enjoys Arts and Crafts, Photography, and Reading Programs. Learning Center activities like Club Tech and Power Hour keep him busy as well. Kameron is in the Athletics Basketball Program, Triple Play Healthy Habits, and Challenges Programs. He serves as a peer leader and consistently demonstrates good morals in the Club.
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Kameron is a good person, always doing the right things!”
Trinity Cook is the 11-year old daughter of Ashley Cook. She has two sisters ages 1 and 7. Trinity helps around the house, keeps her room cleaned, and does her share in the yard work. She has even been known to help in the yard and put out the trash. Trinity also helps keep up with her one year old sister.
Trinity is a 5th grade student at Crockett Elementary where she maintains an A/B average. She says science is her favorite subject. Trinity is a member of the TAME Program (Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering) and has participated in STEM challenge activities and stations. She is also in the Chess Club. Trinity believes school is important because, “She needs to have a good education in order to make money.” She says she wants to be an oceanographer so she can study the ocean and its animals.
Trinity’s home club is the Central Branch where Mrs. Barbara is the Club Director. Trinity has been going to the Boys & Girls Club for a year. During that time, she has been very active in various areas in and out of the club. Trinity is a participant in the Athletic Basketball Program and the Club’s Fine Arts Programs. She consistently participates in Power Hour and the Club Tech Program as well. Trinity enjoys being a part of the Torch Club and is in the Smart Girls Program. She also enjoys Triple Play Healthy Habits and Challenges in the Gym.
Director Mrs. Green said, “Trinity has a great attitude about everything making her the perfect member!”
Kristal Melton is a member of the Northwest Branch of the Boys & Girls Club where Mr. Jerry Taylor is the Director.
She is the daughter of Kenya Marzett and has two sisters ages 14 and 9 as well as two brothers ages 12 and 13.
Kristal is an 8th grader at Rider High School and is maintaining a 4.0 average. Her favorite subject is Physical Education. She hopes to attain her American Sign Language (ASL) Certification and become a teacher. She is a member of the school’s Student Council, Band, and runs on the Cross-Country Track team. She also plays on the Volleyball and Basketball teams. Kristal believes school is important because “it helps you become successful in life”.
Kristal has been a member of Morning Star Baptist Church for two years. She has served as an usher and attends Sunday school. She is very community oriented and has also participated in Teens Make a Difference Day as well as Race for the Cure Events. Kristal goes to Straight Street, Campfire, and YMCA Programs.
Kristal is working on her third year as a Boys & Girls Club member and has experience in all areas of the Club. Two of her favorite programs are Arts & Crafts and Photography. She has won awards for her work in both. She served as a Peer Leader, Junior Staff, and helps with the Power Hour Program. Kristal is also a Smart Girl participant and enjoys the Reading Programs in the Learning Center. She was selected as the Ralph Donnell Volunteer of the Year for 2017 and was recently recognized at the Annual Recognition Banquet!
Club Director Jerry Taylor said, “Kristal is appreciated for leadership and guidance skills which she willingly shares with her peers.”