Meet Ayden, a member with the most positive energy
Everyone knows someone who can light up a room the minute they walk in. That's Ayden A. for the staff and members at Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley’s Silver Springs clubhouse.
Ayden's recognition as this year’s Member of the Year for Silver Springs is a testament to the positive impact of the Club on his life. A 14-year-old seventh grader at Silver Stage Middle School, he’s been a member of the Club for more than seven years—longer than any of the staff currently there. The Club has provided him with a safe and nurturing environment where he can learn, grow, and build lasting friendships with his friends Riley, Michael and Ethan.
“Ayden’s one of those kids who comes in the door, and everyone just gets instantly happier,” Michaela Lyman, the clubhouse’s director, said. It’s never a dull moment. He’s that way with staff, but you also can’t find a kid who doesn’t like Ayden.”
That infectious positive energy is exactly what directors and youth development professionals like to see in their clubhouses. Whether it’s dodgeball, kickball or just generally running around, Ayden’s also incredibly active at the Club. He’s also an athlete at school, where he’s on his seventh grade basketball and cross country teams, earning the Super Speed Award this season. He loves playing basketball with and against Mason, one of his favorite staff members.
“I don’t usually win against him, but he makes me better,” Ayden said. “He teaches me a lot. But he’s also a lot taller than me, so I get blocked a lot.”
Things haven’t always been so positive for Ayden, though. Born with a cleft pallet, the journey for him to accept and overcome that challenge has been a long but necessary one. It would frequently bring him down, especially when other members who weren’t used to it would stare, ask questions, and not always have the best reactions.
“He was a little dude with some anger,” Lyman said.
But over the years, Ayden began to build more confidence in himself. He was able to use things he was learning at the Club to flip the script on situations and take a new look at things. Positive Action, a program run frequently at the Club, has been a big help. It focuses on how to make the right decisions and have a positive outlook on things. Ayden pays incredibly close attention during these lessons and has tried to apply what he’s learning to life and school. It’s been a game-changer for him.
“He’s grown into such an awesome and positive person,” Lyman said.
Within the next six months, Ayden will undergo reconstructive surgery on his lip and ear area to address and help correct his cleft pallet.
“I have mixed emotions,” Ayden said. “I’m scared of the surgery, but I’m happy more kids will be able to look at me like I’m the same.”
Ayden’s big goal for this summer? To become a Junior Staff.
“We all can’t wait,” said Lyman, " especially not him. He’s worked so hard over the last year, helping out, jumping in on activities, and supporting the staff. It’s all toward his goal to become a Junior Staff member.”
With his cheerful attitude, willingness to help, and just overall positive outlook on life, Ayden will be an excellent fit for the role this June.