Success Stories - Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale

2009 National Honor Award Winner for Program Excellence

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) Virginia G. Piper Branch received the prestigious Honor Award for Overall Program Excellence which is presented to a Club that has conducted the best overall program, as determined by entries submitted in each of the five core program areas. One of the organization’s main programming objectives is to empower youth to support and influence their Club and community. Some of the different programs that provide varied and unique opportunities for their members include:

E.J. Hughes (left) of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale receives the Honor Award for Overall Program Excellence from April Hawkins, Program Director, MetLife Foundation at national conference held in May 2009.

Club University – challenges members to earn honorary BGCA degrees in each of the five core program areas. Members strive to become well-rounded and complete programs in each area to receive their diplomas.
Around the World – visit other branches devoted to different countries and learn about their culture, customs and history.
MethSMART – prevention and awareness program specific to the dangers of meth use.
Diversity Day – brings all members together to participate in activities devoted to understanding and tolerating people of diverse cultures.
Lunchtime Intramurals – staff serves as “noon-aides” at local elementary schools and conduct physical fitness activities during lunch hours

Additionally, the Piper Branch received the Merit Award for Program Excellence in Character and Leadership Programming for its “Young Patriots” program which highlights democracy and civic involvement. Merit Awards for Program Excellence are presented for outstanding programs developed and implemented in Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Meet Hannah, age 8

Hannah smiles shyly and hides behind her bouncy, blonde curls when she talks. First and foremost, Hannah says she is an artist. "I like the art room here at the Club," she says. "My friends and I do projects like sand art, and we can even make maracas." Hannah takes the Advanced Art class from Joseph Wolves Kill at the Club and already, at age 8, can sketch and shadow very well with the skills she has developed in his class.

Another class she has had the opportunity to attend at the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch is Music, where she's learned to play three songs on the recorder. Hannah is also very proud of all the homework she gets done while at the Club. "It's easier to do my homework here because you can raise your hand and get help," she says. "I don't know everything at home."

Hannah says she has learned a lot at the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch in her two years as a Club member. "The staff members at the Club also give me good advice, like always try my best."

Meet Sydney, age 10

A five-year veteran member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale-McKee Branch, energetic Sydney says that she loves the new gym where she can play basketball and hockey. The big bright gym she loves so much is an exciting new feature she and fellow Club members have enjoyed ever since the McKee Branch opened in June 2004.

Besides sports, Sydney also enjoys learning about computer programs like Power Point, and says that the Club has helped her in school. "The homework tutoring I got here helped my grades get better," Sydney says with a mature tone. "And I made the honor roll and got a 'Terrific Kid' award."

Sydney's parents both work full time and odd hours, so the Club is a great place for Sydney and her sisters to play and learn until one of their parents can get off work. The Club staff at McKee is also like a family to Sydney, and she says some of her favorite staff members are John and Cassie. "But really I love all the staff members, they're very nice."

Meet Donald, age 15

Although Donald has only been attending the Club for a short while, he has already made a place for himself. Over the past few months, Donald has been busy getting involved in the many activities the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale-Lehi Branch has to offer.

Donald had the honor of playing the Native American flute at the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America Conference in San Antonio in May 2004. It was his first time ever to fly on an airplane. He has also joined a unique drumming group called the Tall Grass Singers that's based on his Native American heritage, and become more knowledgeable in computers. "It was easy to make friends here," Donald says. "I would tell other kids that they should come to the Club so they can do many more activities after school."

Donald adds that he would encourage others to get involved with the drum group because it has been such a great experience for him, and it has allowed him to learn more about his culture. Donald hopes that he is a positive role model at the Club, and hopes to volunteer at the Club to mentor younger children.

Meet Ianelli, age 10

Ianelli has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Outreach Program for five years, and it is an inspiration to her. In fact, Ianelli is one of the masterminds behind Boys & Girls Town Club, a group that she formed with some friends to help kids in her own neighborhood with their homework. She's learned many things at the Club, and staff members have honored her as Youth of the Month several times for the positive example she sets.

"I like to spend time in the homework room with the staff members who really help me learn better," says Ianelli quietly. "They help me finish my homework, and then I can go play tag or play basketball just for fun." Both Ianelli's parents work full time to support her large family, and she is grateful she doesn't have to be home alone.

Ianelli is excited to participate in more activities at the Club. "I just joined TORCH Club, and I'd like to take a cooking class some time." For the positive example that Ianelli sets at the Club, Club staff members have honored her several times as Youth of the Month.

Meet Brad, age 16

Brad has grown up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, and it shows. He is an intelligent, well-spoken young man who says that he has developed many valuable character traits from attending the Virginia G. Piper Branch. "Teamwork, sportsmanship and respect are the qualities I now possess from my years of coming to the Club," says Brad.

An athlete, Brad honed his baseball and football skills with the sports and recreation programs at the Club. After working as a summer RBI League umpire, he now aspires to be a Major League Baseball umpire when he grows up. Brad has spent most of his time becoming a leader through the Club's leadership development programs like Leaders in Training (LIT), TORCH Club and Keystone Club. As a current Keystone Club member, Brad focuses his time on community service, and also attends Keystone conferences. This past year he even served as an organizer of the regional conference.

Brad loves working with the kids at the Club, and has maintained important relationships with Club staff members, especially E.J., whom he says he respects very much. Brad hopes to attend Arizona State University in a few years on his way to MLB.

Meet Sugar, age 12

Sugar has been a member of the Red Mountain Branch for five years and participates in just about everything she can. "I like computers and PE, especially games like kickball and capture the flag," she says. Sugar had a chance to be a part of Ultimate Journey, a unique program where she and other Club members spent time exploring the Arizona environment.

Sugar is a big advocate of the Club at her school, and tells other kids that "the Club makes a difference in your life." She is a SMART Moves facilitator, and really enjoys playing games, creating music and making slide shows on the computers. Sugar also revealed that she learned how to type at the Club.

"I have learned to be friendly, talk to people and to help people out here," adds Sugar. Next year, she hopes to participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs Arizona Alliance Techathalon competition, and recruit more of her friends to the Club. "If I wasn't here, I would be getting in trouble," says Sugar. "I want my friends to learn about different cultures and to make better choices by coming to the Club."

Meet Devyn, age 6

Devyn may seem like a quiet and shy 6-year-old, but if you get him talking about sports, he opens up and sneaks in a smile or two. His mom, Jennifer, is proud that he goes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale-Rose Lane Branch because she was a Girls Club member there when she was younger. Today, Jennifer is a single parent of two and it eases her mind to know that Devyn is in a safe and fun place while she has to work or go to school. "He has learned more respect since he has been coming here," says Jennifer.

Devyn is popular among kids and staff alike and is proud to hold the nickname 'Big D.' "Andrew is my favorite staff member and he calls me that," says Devyn. He enjoys many different sports and games at the Club like baseball, basketball, four-square, soccer and even video games. "I take karate from Master Mark, too," Devyn adds.

Jennifer says that being at the Club has boosted his confidence, and she couldn't be happier that he now has "strong male role models" in his life and is "hanging out with good kids."

Meet Andy, age 10

When asked what he likes about coming to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale-The Thunderbirds Branch, 10-year-old Andy Romero's face turns immediately into a big, toothy smile.

"I like doing my homework here because it's quiet and people help you," he says. "And I like playing basketball and playing in the games room, plus all my friends go here." It is obvious that he likes basketball from his jersey outfit that he wears proudly. He adds that his dad is going to be his basketball coach this coming season, and that he learned how to play basketball at the Club.

Andy's father is a single dad, and Andy is glad he and his sister have a place to go after school that is fun and safe instead of staying home alone. The Club has given Andy the chance to do many "cool things" in the three years he has been a member like the Cal Ripkin Baseball Camp, ChildSpree and, of course, the basketball league. Andy's dad also grew up in a Boys Club. "Both me and my dad were Boys of the Month, and my picture is on the wall here."