BGC Brief - Summer 2023

Board of Directors

Rob Duchow President of the Board Southern California Gas Company

MacKenzie Boone Vice President Ascend Real Estate

Amir Zabrani Treasurer Wells Fargo

Matt Damian Secretary Tri Counties Bank

Scott Andrews City of Bakersfield

Alan Avery Kern Health Systems

Alex Balfour Cushman and Wakefield/Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors

Greg Broida BroidaCo Auto

Lynne Carrithers Aera Energy, LLC

Michael George Safe 1 Credit Union

Rasmus Jensen Tri Counties Bank

Larry Koman Koman Homes

Ben LeBeau LeBeau Thelen, LLP

Marivic Louey Kern Energy

Kristin Monsibais Immediate Past President Williams Adams & Company, CPAs

Timothy J. Simmons MOC Incorporated

Bryce Sterling Laurel Ag & Water

Zane Smith Executive Director

Barry Hill

Associate Executive Director

Legacy Board

Ken Carter Watson Realty

Jason Cohen UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Janice Meek Retired

Gloria Williams Aera Energy LLC

from the Performing Arts Co-Director

As an educator, I’ve had the distinct honor of working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County for eleven years with the goal of developing a yearround performing arts education program. With lots of hard work from kids and staff, this program isn’t just successful, it is also award-winning! Along with my directing partner, Jill Miller Burdick, and a host of talented performing arts instructors, we have established a robust program known as BGCKC’s Stage Door Academy that includes annual workshops and licensed summer musical productions that focus on skill building, confidence, high-yield learning, social bonding, and character development. The Club is cultivating the talents, dreams, and performing potential for hundreds of children annually that lead to advanced education, careers, quality of life, hobbies, and in some cases – joining our performing arts program as instructors.

Our performing arts team (known as Music Fusion) is a select group of children that audition to join an 8-person team that receives year-round private classes while committing to representing our Boys & Girls Club. These talented young leaders literally “perform” community service for the Club and other worthwhile agencies/causes locally and nationally. Music Fusion has performed on stages as far away as Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Diego, as well as local causes including the Bakersfield Symphony Gala, Honor Flight, American Red Cross, and Junior League. Our partner, Stars Theater and Restaurant, joins us in creating an encouraging environment by providing a professional stage, tech, costuming, and a theater-style performing experience.

Frank Sierra

Frank Sierra Performing Arts Co-Director

Frank Sierra, Jill Burdick, and Jesse Magdaleno

For Tehachapi area student Emilee, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County’s new Tehachapi Teen Center is a great place to get homework done and access afterschool programs with her friends. Emilee was excited when the Club first opened a pilot program on Jacobson Middle School Campus where she attended and then later moved to a walk-able location separate from the school campus through a partnership with the Tehachapi Unified School District.

Emilee quickly got involved in drama, dance lessons, cooking, fine art and gardening programs. The activities help round out her busy schedule outside of

the Club which includes choir and volleyball. Emilee’s favorite school subject is English Language Arts and she feels she’s more productive with her homework because the Club supports her academics as well.

“The Club activities are fun and it takes my mind of off other things,” Emilee shared when asked what she thinks of the Club and why other kids should attend. Emilee plans to attend college and become a therapist so that she can help other people. At a young age, she already has a personal motto that she lives by, “Don’t forget about anyone on your journey, including yourself.”

Emilee lives in Tehachapi with her mom, stepdad, two brothers (she’s a middle child,) and her cat – Kitty.

In April 2022, through a collaboration with the Tehachapi School District, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County opened the doors to a new Club serving 62 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The afterschool enrichment program is focused on skill building, social-bonding and community impact. Through cooking classes, arts & crafts, STEM activities, gardening, and homework assistance, these young people are learning to create their own community that promotes learning, character building, positive affiliation, empowerment, and supportive friendships.

Emilee posing outside of the Tehachapi Club.

Emilee enjoys hanging out with her friend during program.

Emilee enjoys hanging out with her friend during program.

Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield

Scott Andrews

Justin & April Ahart

Timothy & Caitlin Ashlock

Ariel & Abby Auffant

Alan Avery

Alex M. Balfour

Larry & Kay Bardin

Adam Belter

Cathy Bennett

Aimee Blaine

Sonia Bonilla-Mendoza

MacKenzie Boone

Greg & Rose Broida

John & Jean Browning

Charles & Theresa Bush

Juan & Sabrina Cazares

Gary & Donna Cross

Mickey & Alex Cushine

Mike & Maggie Cushine

Matt Damian

Chelsea Dow

Ken & Marjorie Dow

Karla Espinoza

Mark & Becky Evans

Melissa Fortune & Bruce Beretta

Christine Frazier

Fanny Gama

Monica Gonzales

Robert & Jerry Haner

Matthew & Shelly Hewett

Barry & Eashell Hill

Cynthia Huggins

Edgar Jacobs

Larry Koman

Bernie & Lynn LeBeau

Ryan & Frances Lewis

Andrew Lopez

Christopher Lowe

Zachary Martindale

Erlinda Martinez

Natalie Martinez

Renee Massey

Janice Meek

Karinna Mendoza

Peggy Miller

Ruth Miranda

Chris & Jovan Molina

Alex & Kristin Monsibais

Dale Oprandy

Randy & Mary Richardson

Saber Insurance Agency

Darin Schwicker

John & Christina Sistrunk

Paul Skarphol

Zane & Amy Smith

Bryce & Ashley Sterling

Carol Sugimori

Linda Sullenger

Robert Tafoya & Sandra Serrano

Josh & Susan Wall

Deborah Wood

Renee Goodwin

Jonathan & Mary Anne Mueller

Frazier Mountain A Small Community with Big Hearts

Stephanie Bishop was born and raised in the small mountain community of Frazier Park in southern Kern County where she still resides and serves as a Program Specialist at the Frazier Mountain

Boys & Girls Club. The younger of two siblings with a nine-year age difference, Stephanie grew up in a very rural setting with lots of acreage where she enjoyed riding dirt bikes and horseback riding as favorite pastimes. She initially attended Maricopa High School for two years then finished at Frazier Mountain High after it opened in Lebec in the mid-1990s. She then went on to College of the Canyons in Valencia where she majored in Recreation Studies and minored in Photography.

After college, Stephanie returned to the Frazier Mountain community that she loves. She commented that not much has changed over the years that she has lived in Frazier Park with the exception of the addition of the new high school, a Dollar General, and a much-welcomed expansion of the Boys & Girls Club. Unfortunately, Stephanie was not a Club Kid herself because there was no Club in the area while she was a youth, but she is making up for that now having been part of the team for the last 14 years. Prior to joining the BGCKC team, Stephanie was working part-time with the local school district. She says that she knew at an early age that she had a passion for working with children. Since joining the Club, she has worked as an Activity Leader, Team Leader, Site Coordinator, and now she serves as a Program Specialist overseeing two after-school Boys & Girls Club programs on Tejon Unified School District campuses and

the Gorman Boys & Girls Club at Gorman School.

Stephanie says that her favorite part of working at the Club is developing relationships with the students and being able to tap into her creative side with program planning. She also enjoys being a part of a like-minded team of individuals who have a passion for youth development. She really likes the mission of the Club and the purpose it serves in her community. Stephanie mentioned that she is really inspired by the positive attitudes of her teammates and the creative ways they handle tough situations. Of course, she is also inspired by art and nature beckoning back to her college minor in photography.

In her off hours, Stephanie spends time with her family, friends, and stays active in the Frazier Mountain community. She does hope to do more traveling with Europe being on the top of her list to see all of the historical sites and learn more about one of her favorite subjects—art history. Stephanie offers some advice to anyone considering joining the BGCKC team—embrace new challenges with open arms and be openminded about learning new things. And for youth considering attending the Club—be open-minded about trying new things and put in the effort to make new friends.

The Boys & Girls Club programs originated at a small Frazier Park church in 2006 through the efforts of Kern County Supervisor – David Couch, then moved to another church closer to Frazier Park School so children could walk to their Club. In 2013, the Tejon Unified School District collaborated with BGCKC on sustainable funding through the State of California to establish an on-campus program at Frazier Park School. The program was expanded to Tejon School and then added the Gorman Club in 2021.

Way to go, Stephanie!

Stephanie enjoyed fishing as a young girl.

Stephanie enjoys the outdoors.

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