Testimonials of Youth
Arsenio Clinton, age 18
Arsenio Clinton was born into a rougher neighborhood in Chicago where gun shots were a common occurrence and the future was dismal. His mother wanted a better life for herself and her children, so she moved them to St. Cloud after her own rehabilitation for drug use.
Even after his mother’s big step in the right direction, Arsenio still veered down the wrong path. In junior high he got into the wrong crowd and got into some trouble with the police. But after seeing the sadness in his mother’s eyes, he made the resolution to build a new positive character for himself.
Arsenio became like a new person and took advantage of every opportunity the Boys & Girls Club and school had to offer.
“The Club became my second home, even my second family,” Arsenio said. “I got involved in homework help, leadership Clubs like Keystone, basketball leagues and more. I graduated from all the SMART Moves prevention groups and participated in Career Launch, which gave me the skills I needed to get my first job.”
Arsenio has maintained a 3.2 GPA, all the while participating in school athletics, extra-curricular activities, and working 30-40 hours per week. He has received numerous Tiger Pride Awards from Tech High School for always having a positive attitude and for leading by example.
Arsenio was named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. He plans to attend St. Cloud Technical College for a degree in automotives.
Shayla May, age 10
Shayla May has been a member of Kennedy KIDSTOP since first grade. As the only child in her family, Shayla embraces the opportunity to socialize with other kids who are both younger and older, and says that the kids and staff at KIDSTOP are like her extended family. “It’s like I have lots of brothers and sisters at KIDSTOP,” Shayla explained.
“Everyone flocks to Shayla,” said Kennedy Program Manager Jeanne Omvig. “She just a caring young girl who always looks for the best in everyone.”
Shayla takes the initiative to get the most out of her membership at KIDSTOP. She’s entrenched in national Boys & Girls Club programs, whether it’s Project Learn educational programs and homework help, the ImageMakers photography and Fine Arts exhibit or the Youth for Unity diversity curriculum, Shayla’s done it all. But she’ll be the first to tell you that arts programming is her favorite.
Shayla plans on sticking around Kennedy long-term and vows to become a junior volunteer once she enters seventh grade. Who knows? She may become Kennedy Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year in 2015!
Kari Nelson, age 13 (coming soon . . .)
Tracy Lommel, age 17
Tracy Lommel has been a member of the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club since the day she started kindergarten. Since then, a whole world of opportunities has opened for her. “The staff at the Club have taught me to see my possibilities,” Tracy said. “Before Career Launch and Job Ready, I had no clue what I was interested in, let alone what steps to take to get my first job. But the staff encouraged me to explore different career choices and tour different workplaces in order to figure out where I could best use my talents and skills.” Staff showed her where to look for different job opportunities on-line and in the paper, and then helped her fill out her first application.
The Boys & Girls Club even gave Tracy her first job opportunity as a junior staff member at Discovery KIDSTOP. It taught her important skills and values, such as interviewing skills, the importance of dressing appropriately and being on time and accountable. Now Tracy works at Target as a food service worker and cashier, and she still helps out as a junior staff at the Roosevelt Club.
Tracy plans to graduate with honors in May and go to St. Catherine’s for the 4-year RN program. “Again, if it weren’t for the Club, I don’t know if I would set these goals for myself,” Tracy said. “But they’ve shown me what my options are, and now I’m prepared for a successful future.”