CENTER — The Boys and Girls Club in Center offers those attending Center Schools just across the street a place to “hang out” and engage in after-school activities until parents or guardians return home from work.
About 25 Center students are served each day by the club.
Acting director Lawrence Trujillo said Monday that some students just stand out from the rest at the club, and he would like to recognize them for their leadership abilities. This month’s student is Edward (Eddie) Ramirez.
Edward is a fifth grader in Ms. Bishop’s class at Haskin Elementary School. “Playing the hockey table and running around, playing chase” are his favorite activities at the club. In school, Edward says his favorite subject is science.
He also helps watch younger brother at the club, but commented with a wave of the hand, “He only listens to me about 50-50.” At the Boys and Girls Club, Edward said, he can “have fun” and gets help with his homework.
A bright smile and outgoing manner, Trujillo agrees, is what attracts people to Edward. “But I’ve been noticing a sharp increase in his leadership skills lately,” Trujillo said. “He has a strong personality and the kids follow him.”
Edward is always involved in whatever is going on at the club, Trujillo added and never misses attending.
Summer activities, background
Trujillo is busy organizing summer activities with the Boys and Girls Club in Alamosa and hopes to receive the summer schedule soon. The club will hold its regular camp and also plans to hold events at Center’s Community Park.
“I want to get family members and the community involved,” he said.
The Boys and Girls Club was founded in 1906 and currently operates 4,000 chartered clubs serving four million children. The Alamosa Boys and Girls Club has over 90 members.
The clubs offer a safe, positive, fun environment with educational things for kids to do, club literature states. A well-trained staff supervises homework help and extracurricular activities.
Studies show members who come to the clubs two or more days a week are more likely to graduate from high school, and children who attend are less likely to become involved in petty crimes.