Kids from the Club Attend Pinecrest Baseball
‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ never sounded so good! Club members were thrilled to be invited to a Pinecrest High School Varsity Baseball game, thanks to former Board member Mike Martin, host of Moore Sports Radio and the Pinecrest High School Athletic Program.
Friday night was the perfect night for baseball. Under a beautiful Carolina moon, fourteen Club members cheered, clapped and munched on pizza etc. as the Patriots beat Purnell Swett handily 9-2. One of the highlights was being asked to lead the crowd during a fifth inning stretch in ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game” by announcer Johnny Owen from Johnny O’s Awards, which they did with much enthusiasm. Another highlight was being able to talk to the players and coaches and get autographs afterwards. Several of the members were interviewed on Moore Sports Radio by host Mike Martin and Wes Smith of sandhillsDig.com.
It was truly a night to remember! If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a field trip for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills, please contact Caroline or Brandon at 910-692-0777.
Ci'erra Wins Beat Mr. Brandon's Bracket Contest
Mr. Brandon presents Ci'erra with Grand Prize
Another exciting year of College Basketball created another opportunity for bragging rights at the Club. Volunteer Vern Hall sponsored the annual Beat Mr. Brandon’s Bracket contest this year.
Even though Duke was Mr. Brandon’s pic, Club member Ci’erra was the big winner this year. Mr. Brandon presented Ci’erra with the Grand Prize which included a $20 gift certificate to Panera Bread and a $10 gift certificate to Wal Mart.
Congratulations to Ci’erra and all the Club members that participated. Thank you Vern Hall for sponsoring this fun event!
2010 Reindeer Fun Run
The 4th Annual Reindeer Fun Run is around the corner! With 100% of the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills, the Reindeer Fun Run is for a great cause, but also a lot of fun! Including a 5k, 10k, Kid’s 1/2 Mile Egg Nog Jog, Kids Zone & After Party – this annual event has become the kick off to the holiday season in the Sandhills.
To get kids from the club ready to participate along with over 1,000 other runners, the Reindeer Fun Run and the Sandhills Striders hold health and fitness clinics at the clubs to help teach healthy lifestyles and encourage fitness.
To learn more about the Reindeer Fun Run or to register, visit reindeerfunrun.com.
Halloween Carnival
Check out the Club’s Halloween Carnival for all of our members. We can always use volunteers, candy donations, and judges for our Costume Contest. Send an email to our site to find out more. The Carnvial is Mon, November 1st, from 2:00-5:00pm!
Join us on Facebook
Become a fan of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills on Facebook. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/boysgirlsclubs to learn about the latest happenings at the club.
Youth of the Year Award
At this time I would like to present the final award for tonight.
Before I do so I would like to share a brief summary about this club member. He has been a true asset to our club as a junior staff member. He currently works in the Games Room when members first come in. He has used this position to greet the members every time they enter the facility with his great sense of humor, and his playful ideas he has brought to the Club
Since he has joined our team, he has learned the importance of being a positive role model. Members come up to him all of the time seeking advice.
Through all the hard work he does here, he still maintains his grades in school, and remains active in the United States Army Reserves. His goal in life is to attend Fayetteville State University while remaining enlisted in the military. The characteristics that he has demonstrated are very hard to find in other youth. He is a great example why the Boys and Girls Clubs are needed all around us. This award is going to someone we can count on, and so can the members.
I would like to now present our 2010 Youth of the Year, Diontay Isaac.
Diontay Isaac:
“Good evening everyone. My name is Diontay Isaac, and I am the 2010 Youth of the Year. I would like to first thank the Boys and Girls Club for nominating me as the Youth of the Year. This means a lot to me and my family. This award would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the members of this Club. These members are the reason why I am a part of this organization. I am truly proud and honored to stand here before you all today and represent the Club.
I would like to take this opportunity, to tell you a little about myself. I am an 18 year old senior from Pinecrest High School. I have been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills for over six years. For the six years I have attended the Club, it has made a tremendous impact on my life.
In sixth grade my mom started a new job, and the only issue was that she had to go to work at the same time we would get out of school. My mother was a single parent, and there was no other family around, so Boys & Girls Clubs was the perfect option for me and my two younger sisters. I remember hearing about the Club from other kids around school, and it sounded very interesting, so I told my mother about it. She took us to the Club where my sisters and I got a tour, and we have been members ever since. Not only has the Club my life, but it has made a difference in the lives of my sisters as well.
As I grew older, I got more involved with the Club. They offered a variety of programs such as Torch Club, Keystone Club, Career Launch and Money Matters. Torch Club, and Keystone Club have helped me to assume responsibility and to make things I want to happen, seem possible. Being a Keystone Member, I really feel like I am making a difference to other kids and the Club.
I have now started at the Club as a Junior Staff member, and it has been a great experience for me. I have learned as much from the members, as they have learned from me. As a member, I just came to the Club, to socialize with my friends and participate in sports, but as a staff, I have learned to take time with the members, and learn things about them, and help them go in the right direction. It is a really good feeling knowing that I can be a positive role model, because they look up to me, instead of someone that can be a negative influence.
I have had many new and fun experiences while being a member of the Club, and one of the most memorable experiences for me so far, has been the Reindeer Fun Run. I placed 63rd in the event. It was a good experience because prior to the event, the staff members would run and practice with us to help us get better. At school, after I took gym class, I don’t get much exercise until I get to the Club. I look forward to coming here because of the games and the sports we play. Basketball, volleyball and pool are just some of my favorite games they offer here at the Club. The Staff members at the Club helped me a lot and they have changed my life in a positive way. When I had a problem, if I could not talk to anyone else, I always knew that I could come to the Club, and talk to a staff member, and they could relate to what I am going through. They have always given good advice.
Career Launch as a teenager, really started to get me thinking about what I am going to do after high school. It started to become a reality, that I am growing up, and about to be making decisions on my own. With the help of staff from the Club, that decision came to me a little easier. One of the staff played a big role in my decision to join the military. He was in the military several years and he told me about all of his life experiences through this. He was a great role model, and he gave me something to strive for. So with his information and advice, I joined the Army. On June 10, 2009, I started Basic Training. It was hard but the values and characteristics the Club instilled in me, helped me make it through. I graduated top 10% of army basic training on August 19th, 2009 from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills changed my life immensely. They helped mold me into the person I am today.
Now I think about all that I have learned here and realize how instrumental this all is to my life. These events at the club impact not only my life but the many lives that come and go through these doors. While the effect will echo out for years to come, tonight is about honoring our members. It is about these wonderful members and their achievements.”
Teen Leadership Award
With just over a year of membership at the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills, Steven is a member that is willing to do anything that is asked by staff. Steven is a 15 year old student at Pinecrest High School. He helps around the Club, by being involved in one of the leadership programs here at the Club, the Keystone Club. Steven’s Leadership also extends to the Senior Gym, with the teen members coming in the gym he help keep the teens moving to help with the sign in process. Steven will do whatever he can to ensure that things go smoothly around the Club. Whatever Steven is doing, he always does it to the best of his ability and he always has a smile on his face, as he never once complains. The leadership he exhibits will help in later in life.
I would like to present the 2010 Teen Leadership Award to Steven McAllister
Teen Leadership Award #2
The second leadership is awarded to a young man that has really began to shine as a leader around the Club. Dareon has started to become a member, that can be a positive role model to others. He has learned to relax, be himself, and be a leader. He is a member that will do anything that is asked around the Club. As an 18 year old, he chooses to come to the Club, and to have fun with his friends, and to help staff with whatever that needs to be done. We are eager to see Dareon continue to grow as a leader, and continue to stay involved here at the Club.
I would like to present Dareon Ledbetter with the 2010 Teen Leadership Award. Leadership Award:
Teen Leadership Award #1
Chasity Bullock
Chasity Bullock is a 17 year old senior at Pinecrest High School and she values his time at the club. With the programs offered at the Club, they have helped Chasity to stay focused, and keep her mind in the positive direction. She is a big help in the Club for all of the staff. Chasity has been a member of the Club for over 6 years, and has recently began working as a Jr. Staff. She has found a deep passion in working with our members here at the Club. She is always eager to conduct different activities for younger members. She has become a leader, by being the positive role model, and by solving problems for other members. Chasity is currently applying at various colleges, and she plans to attend Sandhills Community College for her first two years, then transfer to UNC Wilmington and major in Marine Biology. We look forward to seeing Chasity grow into an adult and we are confident that he will achieve the goals she has set for herself.
At this time, I would like to present Chasity Bullock with the 2010 Teen Leadership Award.
Southern Pines Program Award Recipients
Art Awards:
Christian Goldston Imani Jones
Jr. Gym Awards:
Jon’Quelle Williams Jasmine Joy
Power Hour Awards:
Gabriel Bullard Jillise Barnett
Games Room Awards:
Quintin Hockaday Jada Brown
Sr. Gym Awards:
Jaquell Kelly Jasmine Chalmers
Technology Awards:
Gabrielle Ross Aasyah Waters
Fitness Club Awards:
Austin Cummings Zykia Blue
Membership Awards:
Skylar Alexander Annie Lee
Teen Awards:
Sharief McAllister Ashley Isaac
Torch Club Award:
Aryion Smith
Keystone Award:
Jarvis Ray
Smart Moves Awards:
Nathaniel Buckingham Laniyah Goldston
Street Smartz Awards:
Tyler Reece Nadia Smith