Stay Smart graduation
By Staff Reports
Published in News on May 25, 2009 2:04 PM
The Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County will hold its first Stay Smart Class graduation Wednesday.
The primary goal of the Stay Smart is to provide teens with the knowledge, skills, self-esteem and peer support to help them make good decisions.
Teen Director Willemina Williams described Stay Smart as an effective and unique way for Boys & Girls Clubs and other youth-serving organizations to engage teens in meeting the many challenges they face today. She said the program is a creative and fun learning experience that provides young teens with accurate information, resistance training and other critical skills for avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and premature sexual involvement.
The program gets teens involved in small group settings were they brainstorm and participate in different activities. Speakers come from local organizations to discuss with teens the consequences of negative behavior.
Mrs. Williams said she is proud of her first Stay Smart graduates for the progress they made and their dedication to the program.
"These teens shared stories and experiences that had caused them to make some bad choices, but since Stay Smart, they have vowed to turn their lives around and influence their peers to do the same," she said.
The next Stay Smart program for teens age 12 to 15 will begin June 22. Classes will be held from 1 until 2 p.m.
Teen Center graduations
The Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County is opening up Teen Center membership to 12-year-olds, since eight of its members are graduating from high school.
Teen Director Willemina Williams said all of the graduates are planning to attend college. She said she remembers meeting most of them for the first time and being amazed at their dedication and leadership.
The Paley Unit on Royall Avenue will host Graduation Celebration 2009 on June 10 at 5 p.m. During the celebration, the club will recognize the eight seniors, Zshatorria Chambers, Iveon Sprangle, Tyrell Jackson, Tatiana Johnson, Enrique Moses, Cameron James, DaRajhe' White and Markese King.
Summer camp
The Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County Paley Unit at 1401 Royall Ave. will hold summer camp beginning June 15 and ending Aug. 14. Summer camp hours are 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a hot lunch served each day. Educational programs include Smart Moves, Stay Smart, Book Club, Math Review, Creative Writing, Smart Girls and Passport to Manhood. Health and fitness programs will be aerobics, exercise routines, the weight room, basketball, volleyball, and Water Days at the Club.
There will also be field trips to go swimming, skating, to the movies, Pizza Days, bowling and an amusement park. For information call the club at 735-2358.