The Boys & Girls Clubs participated in Read Across America Day in early March - an event that honors Dr. Seuss' birthday by getting kids excited about reading. Club President, Dave Smith, visited the East Side Unit and read with the kids (see photo at left) to commemorate the day.

 

Congratulations to 11 Club youth who were recently selected as local winners in the 2010 National Fine Arts competition. These youth will now go on to compete at the next level in hopes of making it all the way to the National competition for 2010. The winners include:

Tommy Bradley, age 15 - Multicolored Drawings

Kenneth Ikerd, age 17 - Pastels

Angela James, age 17 - Sculpture

Anthony Lawson, age 10 - Monochromatic

Erika Merino, age 10 - Pastels

Olivia Moore, age 18 - Acrylic*

Marquisha Oliver, age 12 - Multicolored Drawings

Mariah Ross, age 8 - Mixed Media

Kayonna Williams, age 10 - Mixed Media

Davon Wilson, age 13 - Mixed Media

 

 

2010 Youth of the Year Annitra McDonald (in photo below with Dave Smith and last year's winner, Mikhaela Hill) recently taped a special Fox 4 "Reaching for Excellence" segment with Phil Witt about her Youth of the Year win and her preparation for the state competition in Jefferson City on March 30. The feature will run on March 24 at 9:00 p.m., March 25 at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on March 28 at 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Tune in to Fox 4 to catch this great segment on Annitra!

  

The RBI program recently held a Coaches Clinic to help coaches and managers prepare for the 2010 season. The group received great pointers and information from the special speakers and guests, including: Steve Williams, Major League scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, former Royals Frank White, Danny Jackson, and Brian McRae, and RBI board member Don Motley. RBI is gearing up for another great season!

 

Square-One Studio, a custom furniture design and manufacturing firm and one of the participants in our yearly "We Care" event in December, recently visited the Thornberry Unit to host a Valentine's Day Card Party - Project Change. Youth from four of the five sites came together to create Valentines from cardboard boxes, magazines, cardstock, and other materials. The youth enjoyed music, cookies and punch while creating cards for their friends and loved ones. Thanks to Laura Hogberg and Square-One Studio for putting together this fun opportunity for our kids. 

 

In other RBI news, several other former RBI players are achieving great things at the college level. Josh White, an RBI player since age 11, will be the starting center fielder for the Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds this year. RBI alumnus Bryant Jackson is currently the starting quarterback at Central Methodist University AND is scheduled to be the starting shortstop this season. And, finally, RBI alumnus Joseph Samuels is attending St. Paul University and will be the starting third baseman this season. Congratulations to these three outstanding young men who are setting great examples for our younger players!