February 28, 2001
Boys and Girls Club gives out awards
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Good grades, being a role model and leadership skills are the ingredients that go into making a Youth of the Year at the Boys and Girls Club.
For Roxanne Johnson, 11, receiving that honor Wednesday evening at the club's Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation and Member Awards Night was quite unexpected.
"I was surprised, I didn't expect it at all," said Johnson, a seventh-grade student at Traverse City West Junior High. "I try to be everybody's friend and help out, be easy to get along with."
"It's fun coming here because you get to hang out with your friends and play basketball where it is not snowy."
Since she began attending every day during the summer, Boys and Girls Club staff noticed Johnson's friendliness with other members of the club. She is also involved with the Keystone Club, is a member of the junior staff and participated in music, drama and the Smart Girls program.
When looking at who could be Youth of the Year, staff together realized they wanted to recognize Johnson's contributions and enthusiasm.
"Roxanne is very well liked and respected by the staff and kids both," said Victoria Balderach, teen coordinator at the club. "She has such a good sense of what's right and what's wrong."
Boys and Girls Club staff also recognized six other club members during the evening, giving each a scholarship to attend a summer camp reflecting a special interest. These interests ranged from basketball to art to football and each student will attend a week-long camp focusing on their topic.
"These awards give the other kids something to strive for," Balderach noted. "The other kids understand the honor because we have really good relationships with the kids, they know when we pick someone they deserve it."
Aric Fowler was pleased to win a scholarship to a football camp this summer. Without the scholarship, he would not be able to attend the camp.
"I was in football and I will be playing again at camp this summer," he said.
The evening's ceremonies also recognized the dedicated volunteers who keep all the programs humming day after day. With daily attendance at the club increasing steadily - up to an average of nearly 75 students per day from approximately 55 in the fall - having adequate volunteers on hand for the kids is crucial.
A new face on staff also made the rounds during the evening's events. The Rev. Michael Plont joined the team in November as Program Director, bringing his enthusiasm for kids and Boys and Girls Club programs with him.
"We need to find out what every kid is about," said Plont, a Benzie County native who began working with a Boys and Girls Club in Missouri while studying at a Bible school there. "That is what the Boys and Girls Club is all about, finding what is special in each kids."
Plont pointed to the wide variety of activities offered by the Boys and Girls Club, stating that this gives every member a chance to find somewhere to shine.
"I love the overall plan of the club and the youth they target," Plont said. "We target disadvantaged youth, at-risk youth. There are other programs in the Traverse City area that many of these families can't afford. Who can't afford $12 for a year?"