Kids News & Review

Youth of the Year........ 4 Opinion........................ 5 Arts & Culture.............. 6 Food Finds ................... 8 Music Beat ................... 9 40 Years & Counting 11

Kids News & Review

Holiday Help ............. 13 Film ............................ 15 My winter window .. 17 strengthening Families... 21 Kids voice.................. 22 15 Minutes ................ 23

MURAL

MAdNess see Arts & Culture, page 6

KIDS IN THE

KiTCHeN see FoodFinds, page 8

Cover by Alexa, Age 10

A SpeCiAl AdvertiSing Supplement to reno newS & review

deCemBer 17, 2015

40 yEARS & COUNTiNG see Feature Story, page 11

Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum 490 S. Center Street • (775) 786–1000 www.nvdm.org

Kalyssa, Age 8

Wells Fargo Bank Various locations www.wellsfargo.com

Sofia, Age 8

2 kn&r

DECEMBER 17, 2015

Welcome to the 2015

Kids news & review t

his is one of the Reno News & Review’s most important and unique projects, for it touches many people in the community while helping to create better awareness and understanding of one of the Reno area’s most valued organizations: The Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

The “Kids N&R” has received 1st Place honors in its category for 6 years as “Best Special Section” in the Nevada Press Association’s Better Newspaper Awards – a statewide competition judged each year by an out-of-state panel.

Most of the content was created by kids from various locations of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, so what you’ll see and read on the following pages is truly “through the eyes of children”.

About the boys & Girls Club HisTORY

In 2016, the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows celebrates its 40th year of “Proudly Serving Kids in Northern Nevada.”

1976 marked the beginning of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. The Club was formed and financed by local business men and women and many concerned citizens. In late 1981, the Club’s main facility opened at its current location on E. 9th St. in Reno – the Club now boasts a total of 20 locations throughout Reno, Sparks and Fernley.

The Club is open to any youth age 6-18. Membership to the Club is an affordable $20 annually. Additional site fees do apply for before & after school programming and for the full-day school break programs including WCSD summer, fall, winter and spring break.

Please click here for membership information or contact the membership office at (775) 331-KIDS (5437).

The Club provides transportation from select Washoe County schools, and nutritious meals are served daily at various sites.

No child is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. Financial assistance is available.

PROGRAMs

The Boys & Girls Club offers nearly 130 different programs, events and activities to meet the diverse needs and interests of their members. Core programming areas include: Character & leadership Development education & Career Development health & life skills the Arts sports, Fitness & recreation

iNTeResTed iN BeCOMiNG A MeMBeR?

Visit our “Join” page on our website – www.bgtcm.org - for membership information or contact a membership coordinator: samantha elliott, Membership Coordinator at (775) 360-2410 sarah odom, Membership Coordinator at (775) 360-2471

wAYs TO Give

From humble beginnings in 1976, the Boys & Girls Club has grown into the premier agency serving youth in the Truckee Meadows, with more than 13,000 Club members benefiting from before and after-school programming at 20 sites throughout the Truckee Meadows.

Like so many non-profit agencies, it takes the generosity of a caring community to continue to provide high-level programming – especially at a time when our services are more in demand than ever before. Corporate and individual donations can be made online securely, on our website – www.bgtcm. org - or by calling us at (775) 331-KIDS (5437).

Thank you for supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and enjoy the 2015 Kids News & Review. Please tell our advertisers that you saw their ad in the Kids N&R!

Doughboys Donuts

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Anayeli, Age 8

MissiON

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

2015 Kids News & Review Content: Ad design: Photos: CoordinAtion: LAyout/design: Ad CoordinAtion: Ad sALes: PubLished by: gM/PubLisher:

Kids and Staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Kids and Staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Tina Colliver, Education Director Serene Lusano Kelly Miller Joey Davis, Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Chico Community Publishing, Inc., dba The Reno News & Review John D. Murphy

The content and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows or Chico Community Publishing, Inc.

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Cameron Craig, Age 7 a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 3

youths

youth Of THE

year

Port of Subs

Various locations throughout Northern Nevada www.portofsubs.com

Maya, Age 9

Food Bank of Northern Nevada (775) 331-3663 www.fbnn.org

Alysia, Age 10

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

Carlos Inda-Lopez, 2015 Male Youth of the Year

Gissel Gonzales Aguilar, 2015 Female Youth of the Year

Carlos Inda-Lopez was born the younger of two siblings to a teen mom. Life was challenging for the family. After his biological father was deported for dealing drugs, the family moved in with Carlos’ grandparents.

His grandfather passed away when Carlos was young, and the man who would have been his step-father died in a tragic car accident not long after.

As Carlos coped with the difficulties, he became very shy and unsociable. He didn’t have many friends, but at a young age, he was drawn to art as an outlet. “Art was my way out,” he said. “It gave me a place to express my emotions. Even when I couldn’t put what I was feeling into words, I could let the paintbrush to the talking.”

Carlos’ mom eventually remarried, and his new step-dad inspired and encouraged his artistic pursuits, but when Carlos began high school, he was still searching for a place of belonging. “My life really changed when I became a member of the Club at Hug. I was a 13-year-old freshman desperately looking for some acceptance, and that’s exactly what I found. I made new friends at the Club, and I felt like I could be myself.”

The Club gave Carlos a place to work on assignments, get extra tutoring, join leadership clubs and spend time with friends.

Perhaps most importantly, Club staff encouraged Carlos with his art. Since joining the Club, Carlos has designed and painted two wall murals at the Club, been named class historian, won multiple art show awards and designed a park bench that was displayed during Artown this past summer.

“I have come so far since joining the Club.

I’ve found my voice,” Carlos said. “Next fall, I’ll start college, and I’ll be the second in our family, after my sister, to become a college graduate. I haven’t landed on a major just yet, but I know it will be something creative.”

Now a senior at Hug High with a bright future ahead of him, Carlos is quick to recognize those who have helped him on his journey. “It was the Boys & Girls Club that saw the potential in me and helped me become who I am today,” he said. “It’s amazing how even the smallest nudge from someone who cares can make a world of difference to a young person.”

Growing up, Gissel Gonzales Aguilar lived with what she called her “complete family”—both of her parents, an older brother and younger twin sisters. “To me, my family was perfect,” she said. “But I had no idea how dysfunctional my family really was.”

Her father was an alcoholic and substance abuser. He would regularly return home late at night, brutally hit her mother, and then tuck young Gissel into bed.

The tragic cycle continued until Gissel was nine years old, when her father finally left for good. “That was the last time I ever saw him,” she said. “He left us with nothing but a broken home, a pile of bills to pay and no way to pay them.” But her mother wasn’t about to let her family fall apart. She found a job making minimum wage and somehow managed to keep their family of five together.

That same year, Gissel joined the Boys & Girls Club. She was hesitant and shy at first, but the Club quickly became her second home. “I felt so welcome there,” she said.

“On many days, I was the first one to arrive and the last one to leave.”

At the Club, Gissel made new friends, discovered an artistic talent, got academic support and learned to make healthy choices. “In so many ways, the Club helped fill the void that my father left as the staff partnered with my mother to help raise me and my siblings.

They became like my extended family. They were always there for us.”

Gissel has remained an active Club member over the years. Today, she is a 17-year-old senior at Coral Academy of Science on track to graduate with special honors this coming spring. Next fall, she will join her older brother in college where she plans to study to become a nuclear medicine technologist.

Despite the challenges she has faced in her past, Gissel faces her future with excitement and optimism.

“As I got older and realized the damage my father had done to our family, I feared that I might one day turn out like him,” she said.

“But the Club led me down the right path.

The Club has helped me realize that I’m not a victim of my circumstances or my past, but that I can create my own future.”

OPINION

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Maya Lopez, Age 8

LITERACY

By Maggie Repko, education cooRdinatoR

R

eading is an awesome hobby, but for kids who struggle in their reading level it can seem like an impossible chore. At the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, we recognized that many of our kids need extra help with reading and writing, so we developed an amazing literacy program to respond to those issues. Our program include reading, spelling, handwriting, and conversation games and lessons to develop skills in each youth, determined by their entering skill level and what they love doing! Over the last few years, we have been able to reach hundreds of youth and seen a 60% reading improvement rate through the San Diego Reading

Assessment. The United Way has also responded to literacy problems in youth with a generous grant that has allowed us to build a partnership with all Northern Nevada Boys & Girls Clubs to share ideas and best practices. When we help develop a child’s passion for reading it spreads like gossip in a small town: suddenly friends, siblings, and eavesdroppers are coming to the literacy program asking to join. And who could say no kids who just want to read? Moving forward, we hope to implement literacy programs and reading initiatives at each of our Club sites and make sure every kid has books at home to read.

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2015 kids news & review 5

arts&Culture

Dolan Automotive Group 2100 Kietzke Lane, Reno (775) 826–2750

Amayelli, Age 8

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

Arts &

CULTURE B

GCTM partnered with Sierra Arts Foundation and the graffiti enforcement team from RPD to create a mural/ graffiti awareness program this past summer. The program consisted of teen BGCTM members, and teens from Washoe Innovations and Rain Shadow. Along with myself, Eddie Guth, there was Pan Pantoja, Ray Valdez and Kristin Moffit as the teaching artists. Under our tutelage these kids participated in creating Murals at Rain Shadow High School, Washoe Innovations High School and the construction walls at riverside on Virginia Street. The BGCTM

members restored the Plumas tennis courts mural, created a mural at children’s cabinet and painted murals on two park benches which were unveiled and on display at Wingfield Park during artown. They are then planned to be permanently installed at Virginia Lake Dog Park. Sierra Arts BGCTM have named the program Public Art Works and we hope that this program will continue to grow as it was very successful this summer. It was a pleasure to work with the teaching artists, Sierra Arts and most of all the dedicated kids in the program.

By EddiE Guth, Art CoordinAtor

Lattin Farms

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Karzima, Age 9 a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 7

food finds

kids

Chester’s Reno Harley–Davidson (775) 329–2913 www.RenoHD.com

Kelly, Age 13

in the

KITCHEN

By Chad KirKland, dWr Chef

T

The Smile Shop

3701 Bake Lane, Suite 1, Reno 5115 Mae Anne Ave, Suite 3, Reno 105 Los Altos Pkwy, Suite 111, Reno

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

he kitchen can be a fascinating place for young kids. They see grown-ups working briskly in there, watch the steam rise from pots on the stove, and smell what’s on the menu that night. Even older kids might be intrigued by how baked goods and meals come together. It isn’t always convenient to invite them into the kitchen to help but the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is going to change that by implementing a program call Kids in the Kitchen.

The program will consist of members’ ages 10-18 years old. The mem-

(775) 825-1000 www.smileshoponline.com

Stephanie, Age 11

bers will learn safety requirements, components of a healthy meal, inventory control and the chemistry of cooking. The members will be required to go through a food safety class, workplace safety class and healthy habits.

Once they pass the classes they will learn and participate in all roles of the kitchen. At the end of the program, members will be awarded a certificate of completion along with chef hats.

There will also be a dinner where the members may invite their families and they will help prepare, cook, and serve the dinner.

music

The

Music Beat

By Dan Pike, BGC TeChnoloGy ProGramminG CoorDinaTor

W

ill O’Neil- age 13-attends the club regularly and has become very involved in the technology program and has discovered an exciting new passion in the DJ program at the new Pennington Facility Boys & Girls Club. Over the last year Will has really become involved in the program learning a variety of DJ skills, and gaining both career knowledge and experience from professional local DJs. Will describes his experience, “I think it is a great thing to be able to DJ. It teaches people things about music that they didn’t know already. I feel like I am better now than when I first started. I have learned how to mix in key. I guess I have learned about the business standpoint of it as well. I learned about getting out there so that you can get people to discover you.”

Will has now acquired enough experience in the program this last year to start really developing this talent. He goes by the DJ name “Iron Will” and has already played a couple of venues for Boys & Girls Club events including Boys & Girls Club Nite Out where he performed for a couple hundred guests.

He also played an end of the year school part at the Verdi Boys & Girls Club. Will describes this experience “It was slow and nervousish. It was a new thing to me and it didn’t feel right. Now things like that are exciting and don’t sound boring. I never really stood in front of a crowd. I’ve been in a band, but it is different when you are standing and performing by yourself.”

Will was recently proposed his DJ name by his teacher Michael Rivera who has really taken the lead in making this program possible. Will describes his new DJ name explaining that “’Iron’ is a strong metal and ‘Will’ is the expression of what you are going to do; So having a strength of the ability to express my abilities.”

Will has had a fascination with elec-

tronic music since he was 5 years old.

He believes that he had a lot of external influence into discovering this passion“When I was little I saw videos of people DJing, I liked the videos they were doing and wanted to be like them one day.”

The DJs that Will draws influence from include Martin Garrix and Dimitri Vegas.

Will describes them being upbeat and happy music. The styles Will believes that he is influenced the most by fall under the category of EDM and include genres of Trap, House, and a little Dubstep). Will sees his role as a DJ to bring people music that they enjoy he states, “I think it is a cool thing to make people happy and by doing what you love.” He gathers a lot of inspiration from the music that people enjoy that are closest to him. He explains, “What people like is what I use to make my art. If I have to ask my brother I will listen to some of those songs and get a feel for that and mix something that compares with that.” Will focuses mainly on Turn tables and DJ software, but has had some background in the school band at Clayton Middle School playing French Horn.

Music has become a great outlet for Will who interprets music in a way that “it helps with relaxation and energy; things aren’t so stressful in life. It helps to deal with the normal stresses of being a teenager.” Will plans to pursue this program and gain as much experience as possible.

He says, “My plan is to get as far as I can in this career and hopefully produce more of my own style music. I would also like to hopefully inspire others so that can experience the same things that I have experience.” He is planning to try to get some more external gigs with possible school dances in the future, but definitely more parties at the Boys & Girls Club. Will also hopes to inspire others into the art of being a DJ. He believes that there a lot of potential DJs out there and wants them to “just stick with it. Don’t give up on it.

Things will be slow at the beginning, but just stick with it.”

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2015 kids news & review 9

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

feature

40 YEARS OF

proudly serving KIDS IN NORTHERN NEVADA

T

he Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is heading into its fortieth year of serving the youth of northern Nevada. Over the past four decades, what started as a few dozen boys in a makeshift Clubhouse on Terminal Way has transformed into the largest youthserving organization in the region. This year, they will serve nearly 14,000 youth at 20 sites in Reno, Sparks and Fernley.

“Forty is a big milestone,” said Executive Director Mike Wurm. “It’s incredible the way the community has rallied around the Boys & Girls Club. Without the support of so many people over the years, we wouldn’t be here today to celebrate this anniversary.”

Because of the support of the northern Nevada community, the Boys & Girls Club continues to be a vital resource for our local youth. Their 20 locations serve urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods, with sites spanning the Truckee Meadows from Lemmon Valley to Neil Road and Verdi to Fernley. They have youth centers for the six to 12-year-olds, teen centers for the 13 to 18 crowd, and even the E. L. Wiegand Early Learning Center for little ones six weeks to five years, including an all-day kindergarten.

The Club offers dozens of programs, activities and special events for young people, from afterschool tutoring to sports leagues to leadership clubs. Every program focuses on one of five core areas: Education & Career Development; Sports, Fitness & Recreation; Character & Leadership Development; Health & Life Skills; and the Arts. Together, these programs help kids grow into educated, contributing, well-rounded adults.

“We have a proven formula for success. Our programs are a great hybrid of national models customized to meet the unique needs of our local kids,” said Wurm. “Of course, if you ask Club members what they like about the Club, they’re not going to talk about evidence-based program models. They’ll tell you it’s fun, and they’ll tell you about our amazing staff.”

“A lot of people think that the Boys & Girls Club is just a place for kids to hang out and be safe, but it’s so much more than that,” said Gissel Gonzaels Aguilar, the Club’s 2015 Female Youth of the Year. “I’ve always been the shy kid who wouldn’t talk to anyone. The staff at the Club recognized this and reached out to me. With their support, I started talking more and making new friends at the Club. The Club is truly a place to build friendships.”

The Club’s 2015 Male Youth of the Year agrees. “At the Club, I have a place to do my homework after school and get extra tutoring when I need it,” said Carlos Inda-Lopez. “The staff are there for me when I need some advice or just someone to talk to. Without the support of the Boys & Girls Club, I would have never found the strength and courage to put myself out there and truly express myself. They saw the potential in me and helped me become who I am today.”

More Growth on the Horizon With forty years under their belts and tens of thousands of youth impacted, one might think the Boys & Girls Club has reached CONTinued on page 12 a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 11

feature CONTinued from page 11 improvements to better serve the its pinnacle. Not so, says Wurm. community. The Club is in the “We’re constantly looking for process of making that happen, ways to bring the Club to new which would allow the Club to neighborhoods and new kids. serve even more of the local six There’s always a need. But we’re to 12-year-old population as well very intentional about our growth. as further develop a teen program Our Board is diligent to make to serve students sure every new from Vaughn growth opportunity Middle School, makes sense and which is right is sustainable longacross the street. term.”

“The Bresson One such facility is in a growth opporneighborhood tunity occurred with a high need in 2014 as the for our services,” Club opened said Wurm. their new William “About 2,000 N. Pennington Carlos Inda-Lopez kids live nearby, Facility. Located

“We’re constantly looking for ways to bring the Club to new neighborhoods and new kids.”

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Carissa, Age 9

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Lillie, Age 7

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

on Foster Drive in Reno, the facility celebrated its one-year anniversary this past June, and it is already operating near capacity, serving nearly 300 youth every day. It’s clear from the site’s high level of use that this facility is filling an important need in this neighborhood.

Another significant growth opportunity is now in the works for a Boys & Girls Club on Bresson Avenue in Reno. The Club first started working at the Bresson site in 2014, and since that time, attendance has skyrocketed. The site now serves 75 to 100 youth every day. But the aging, dilapidated facility is in need of major

and 95 percent of them qualify for free or reduced lunch. If there’s a place in Reno for a Boys & Girls Club, this is it, and our team is working hard to make sure this project happens for the kids in this area.”

Once this project is complete, it’s hard to say where the Boys & Girls Club will head next, but there’s no doubt that growth will continue. “Our ultimate goal is to put ourselves out of a job,” said Wurm. “Once every single kid in our region has everything they need to thrive, there won’t be a need for the Boys & Girls Club.

But until then, we have work to do.”

holiday help

The Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows 2015 Holiday Help Program T

he Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, with tremendous support from the Reno, Sparks and Fernley communities, provides Christmas gifts and goods to local club families in need. In 2014, the Club matched more than 200 families with the help of generous adopters, as well as those who provided extra toys. We were able to help more than 1,500 children.

Many of the families that receive help through our program are Club families that are either living on a very limited income or are homeless. The children in our Holiday Help program range in age from 5 to 18.

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In 2014, the Club matched more than 200 families with the help of generous adopters.

All are currently enrolled at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and have attended the Club at least 52 times in the last year. Each family goes through a prescreening process before their application is approved for the Holiday Help program, so we know these are families in need of assistance.

We ask that donors specify the size of the family they want to adopt. We always do our best to match donors with the family size they request. Our families range in size from one parent and one child up to two parents with six or more children. It is our hope that donors will provide at least three new, wrapped gifts for each child. In most cases, these gifts will be the only presents our children receive.

Many donors also want to give the parent a gift. We suggest a gift card to Wal-Mart or Save-mart (they can be purchased with restrictions such as no tobacco or alcohol), so the parent can buy food for their family and donors do not have to

Other Reno/Sparks area locations: • 1170 Bible Way, Reno, NV 89502 • 10705 Double R Blvd., Reno, NV 89521 • 4855 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV 89509 (inside Walmart)

worry about buying additional gifts for the parents. Another option is if a parent has filled out specific needs they have on their application the donor may choose to purchase these items.

To adopt a Reno-Sparks family for the 2015 Holiday Help program please contact Kathleen Vanderziel at (775) 360-2450 or email. To adopt a family in Fernley please contact Mandy Sam at (775) 360-2480 or email.

By Kathleen Vanderziel, donor relations Manager

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2015 kids news & review 13

THINK

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DECEMBER 17, 2015

Boys & Girls CluB Movie reviews

T

he film festival correlates directly with the Digital Arts Program run through the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Each year beginning in February our technology coordinator runs a one week film camp at each of the BGCTM sites. Each site spends the first day crafting their story and how it will be told. Day two the team writes a script and begins preparing to shoot the film days 3 - 5. Finally, the technology coordinator edits the film the following week putting the clips together, adding audio and visual effects.

The product of each of these camps is a film that is presented to a panel of judges. The judges award each film for its best accomplishments.

n Bresso teen Center

The movies are shown the evening of the festival in midMay. The night of the event there is a Hollywood feel with a photographer taking pictures of the parents and the kids. Each child involved in the festival is given an invitation to the event and is awarded with a Film Festival recognition certificate. The evening concludes with the “Oscar” awards ceremony and each site is awarded an Oscar in different categories such as best actor, best film, best set design, etc.

By Andrew FrAnco, 13 yrs. old, And KAtie tuBiello 14 yrs. old

Great Ballaz of fire “The movie explained to try and fail than to never try at all. I liked that they redeemed themselves. It made me feel like people should never give up.” -AF “I rate it a 3/5 stars. I thought was creative how the made it look like karate kid and made them better players by using that techniques.” -KT

5 Nights in Prison

“The movie was entertaining. It made me feel like if that’s how prison was. I like how they figured a way out.” -AF “I rate it a 3/5 stars. I thought it was really funny and creative to try and dig their way out with spoons.”

-KT

“I rate this a 1.5/5 stars. I thought that the concept and story line was good. I didn’t like how there was kids laughing in the background or the overall presentation.” -KT

Carlos and Seabass go to High School

“It was not that entertaining and it could’ve been better. The movie made me feel like these actors needed to practice more. I liked how they were successful at the end.” -AF “I rate it a 3/5 stars. I thought it was really funny and creative to try and dig their way out with spoons.”

-KT

Survivormates

Neil Road Film

“I rate it a 3/5 stars. I thought it was really cute and funny. I didn’t really get scared but it was still one of the better horror films I’ve seen.” -KT

Robot apocalypse

“It was suspenseful. It made me feel like they should have looked for another escape plan. I liked that they were able to escape.” -AF “I rate it a 2/5 stars. I thought it was alright it wasn’t my favorite but it wasn’t bad. It didn’t seem to be like an apocalypse maybe more like a malfunction.” -KT

Spy vs spy

“It was funny. It made me feel like they tried everything they could. I liked that they tried their hardest.”

-AF

“It was intriguing. It made me feel disgusted. I liked that they were surviving.” -AF “I rate this a 4/5 stars. This one was my favorite because the kids who played the characters were really into the story. I found very funny and really creative.”

-KT

The creepy mirror

“The movie was creepy and suspenseful. It made me feel like it was real. I liked that they unpossessed her.”

-AF “I would rate it a 2/5 stars. I thought it was creative that it was very creative that they made it like the kid was infected with a demon and they had to save their friend.” -KT

The horrors of project solution

“It was memorable. It made me feel like it would haunt me. I liked that it seemed true.” -AF “I would rate this 4/5 stars. I thought it was really cool how they made it like they were different stories in the same building but really kept them together to create almost an actual story.” -KT

The Stoopid games

“It was stupid. It made me feel siked. I liked that it was funny.” -AF “I would rate this 2/5 stars. I thought it was really funny with their name changes, but I didn’t really like the ending.” -KT

Zombie apocalypse

“The movie was a good zombie movie. It made me feel like it was a real zombie apocalypse. I liked that they found a way.” -AF “I would rate this a 3/5 stars. It was really creative and really good. I was into it and I thought the flowers were the best part of the video.” -KT

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2015 kids news & review 15

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2015 kids news & review 17

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abigail, age 6

tavaris, age 10

makayla, age 10

magdalena, age 7

sophia, age 7

kaitlyn, age 9

a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 19

janisha, age 9

isabella, age 6

20 kn&r

DECEMBER 17, 2015

hope, age 9

ilena, age 9

strengthening families Strengthening Families

Program B

oys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is excited to offer a new educational opportunity to our members, their families, and the community. The Strengthening Families Program is a 10 week, evidence-based program in which children, ages 6-17, and their parents attend classes focusing on topics that help create happier, more successful families. Each class is two hours in length and allows for parents and their

children to eat a meal together, separate for class, and engage in a family activity and discussion around each week’s module. Weekly modules include topics such as: Communicating with Love and Understanding; Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use; Setting Consequences and Limits; and Choosing Good Friends and Monitoring Activities.

The Strengthening Families Program is completely free, including a meal and

childcare for children under the age of six.

Children whose families participate must become members of Boys & Girls Club and as always, scholarship opportunities are available. Classes will begin the last week of January. For more information and to reserve your family’s space, please contact Anne Studebaker, Family PLUS Director at (775)360-2401 or astudebaker@bgctm.org.

By Anne StudeBAker, FAmily PluS director

children and their parents attend classes focusing on topics that help create happier, more successful families.

Circus Circus Reno

500 N. Sierra Street • Reno, NV 89503 (775) 329-0711 • www.circusreno.com

Joel, Age 7 & Karizma, Age 9 a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 21

What I like about

the Boys & Girls Club

Frontier Financial Credit Union 5200 Neil Rd., Reno • (775) 829-2070 5362 Sparks Blvd., Sparks • (775) 824-8053 www.frontierfcu.org

Jake, Age 9

What I love about the Verdi Boys and Girls Club is that I’m always welcome and the place is fun to be at. What I love about the site is that it’s in a really nice area with not a lot kids and because the staff and coordinator are really nice. My favorite program is Power Hour because I get to do my homework and there is enough time to finish it. Power Hour also gives me the opportunity to help other members with their homework when they don’t understand it and I also get time to read. I also get to learn new stuff about animals, the solar system, and nature.

This is why I chose to come to the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

Sydney Hall, Age 10, Verdi E.S

What I love about the boys and girls club is that I get to see and be with my friends from different schools, I always liked how the staff encorage us to be the best we can for when we grow up we can take responsibilities in all different ways.

This site is full of happines and Joy! And that’s why I love it!

Carissa M., Age 10, Pennington

I love that all the staff are nice.

I also like that they help me with my homework and that if I am down they will help me get back up. I am really thankful for that. I also like it because it helps me follow my dreams.

Kaitlin N., Age 11, Pennington

What I love about the Club is that my friends attend here and I can do my homework and play pool, ping pong, foosball, etc. What I love about this site is that it is so close to my school so that I can just walk across the street.

My favorite program is Money Matters because I learned how to use money responsibly and how to write a check. We also got to go on a really fun trip to San Francisco!

Karla Farias, Age 15, LDJ Teen Center

Midtown Dental

620 Humboldt Dr., Reno • (775) 284-8657 www.midtowndentalreno.com

Madison, Age 10

22 kn&r

DECEMBER 17, 2015

The Fernley Intermediate Boys & Girls Club is amazing with trustworthy staff and an opportunity to make new friends. What I love

the most about this Boys & Girls Club site is that they teach you a lot of amazing things like art. In art, we do art projects to be proud of. Speaking of art, which is my favorite program because it teaches you about your hidden talents that you didn’t know you had. I have learned a lot about my true artistic talents because of art at the Boys & Girls Club. Besides art, my other favorite part about the Boys & Girls Club itself is hanging out with my friends and getting the chance to meet new ones. I’ve been coming to the Boys & Girls Club for over two years and I’m proud to say that I’m looking forward to coming even longer.

Rylie Handley, Age 10, Fernley Intermediate

I love that in the club we get to make new friends and learn new games. I also love that we have nice staff that look out for everyone at the boys and girls club.

I love that our site is at East Valley because we have a big lunch room and our play ground has tons of fun equipment. My favorite program is SFR because we get to play fun games and keep myself in shape. When I do SFR I learn how to keep myself in shape and I also learn lots of fun new games as well!

Emma Woolsey, East Valley

I like to come to the boys and girls club because, I like going to the chess room and all the other areas in the boys and girls club, my favorite program to be in is the big gym because, you get to play basketball and get to do lots of fun stuff. My favorite part of the club is when we go to assembly to go to dinner.

Angel Ortega, DWR

I like the Boys and Girls Club because everyone is nice, My favorite activity is art, I like art because you get to do different things like pastels, paint, that’s why.

Yamilet Reyes, DWR

The Donner Springs Boys and Girls Club site is that they do Power Hour there you get to for your homework so when you get home

you whach tv and put your legs up and eat ice cream. They also help you and try to get your to do extra math and reading. For example Mr. Bounds made me do more math because I got a bad score on my test and I got a higher score because I worked on what I needed to thanks to boys and girls club site I know a lot. I also like that we have lots of fun and makes us happy.

Destinie R., Age 10, Donner Springs

What I love about my club is that first of all there are wonderful staff members that are fun to talk to. Also they have a lot of activities to do so you will not get bored.

There are art, sorts, computers, snacks, homework hour and lots of fun stuff. They give rewards to people who are good but they are fair. They help people when they need it. That’s what I love about my club.

Mia H., Age 11, Donner Springs

What I love the most about the Boys and Girls Club at Neil Road is that they are always being nice and are very helpful. I love that my site is small club and a lot of the activities are fun. My favorite program is PowerHour because it gives us a chance to do our homework and get help. victor, Age 12, Neil Rd.

The reason I love the Boys & Girls Club at my school is because I grew up here and every time my birthday passes I feel like the Club gets more and more into my life.

They will always be there for me.

Arlene Lopez, Age 10, Bernice Matthews

The thing I love most about the club is it helps us learn things. I love Cottonwood Boys and Girls Club because I think the staff runs it well. They help me with my homework and teach us new things.

My favorite program is Art because Miss Dallas taught me that you can do anything you want to do. You don’t have to copy someone else, you can be different.

Madilynn Lovell, Cottonwood

Our mOney matters prOgram

By Ta-Tiana anderson-Hall, liT CoordinaTor

M

oney Matters is a financial literacy program from Boys & Girls Club of America. Throughout the program members learn the importance of setting goals and maintaining savings as well as how to budget.

Money Matters is an opportunity for teen members to learn life skills that will positively impact their futures. In addition to financial literacy Money Matters stresses the importance of post-secondary education while teaching members about debt, credit, and assets.

Money Matters is not only an opportunity for teen to become financially stable, through this program Eric Cruz was fortunate enough to receive a $5,000 scholarship and become the National Money Matters Ambassador.

Members also receive an opportunity to attend a San Francisco Trip during the fall or summer.

This year, over Fall Break 16 teen members who completed Money Matters, had the opportunity to go to San Francisco for two days. The first day members toured Sacramento State and San Francisco State Universities.

We stayed overnight at the Don Fisher Clubhouse Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco; this is the second year that Don Fisher Club house hosts us.

After dinner at the Rainforest Café members had the opportunity explore San Francisco’s Pier 39. On day two, we took a tour of the San Francisco Federal Reserve where we learned in depth how the government keeps track of the money in the United States; they also received bags of shredded dollar

bills. After touring the Federal Reserve we took pictures on the Golden Gate Bridge and explored the California Academy of Science. This trip was completely free to our members. Teens eligibility was determined based on Money Matters Participation. A lot of the teens in our community have never been outside of Reno, Nevada. This San Francisco Trip is, for a majority of teens, the first time they will ever see the ocean, or visit a college campus.

Thank you to Charles Schwab for funding this trip and making this opportunity possible.

“It was good! I ate a lot of food and learned a lot. I learned where money is made and where they take it out of commission. And I got a bag scrap bag of money.”

Karla, 14

“It was a great trip to have experienced.”

Marvin, 17

“Fun. I liked visiting Sac State best. Even the drive was fun. I thought the trip was interesting”.

Caesar, 15

“The trip was fun and educational. I learned about different money and different species of plants and animals.”

Benji 16

The college tours and dinner were ehh but everything else was fun.”

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Joseph, 16

“I thought that the discovery museum was really cool” ….California Academy of Science… .”yeah, that thing was really fun!”

Kylee, 16

w w w. n e w s r e v i e w. c o m a special advertising supplement to Reno News & Review DECEMBER 17, 2015

2015 kids news & review 23

Reno Bighorns

Proud Affiliate of the Sacramento Kings www.RenoBighorns.com

Roberto, Age 12