Meet Clarisa A., a caring, athletic, driven member
Clarisa A. comes from a long line of Boys & Girls Club members. Her two older brothers attended almost their whole life, and she even started younger than them when she became part of the Club’s preschool program. Her brothers were incredible Club members, and Clarisa even shared the stage last year with her brother Michael, when he was named the 2025 Youth of the Year, and she was named Junior Youth of the Year.
A lot of kids would want to get out of the shadow of their older siblings, but not Clarisa.
“My family is irreplaceable. They are my biggest supporters and they care about me. I love them more than anything else and I am very grateful for all of them.”
Clarisa takes a lot of lessons from her brothers, and being involved in both her Club and her community is one of them. From the earliest age she could, Clarisa became a member of the Yerington clubhouse’s Torch Club. She became president, where she helped her fellow members come up with projects like bake sales and making holiday cards and decorations for residents at the local long term care. As she progressed over to the Teen Center, she knew Keystone Club was a goal of hers, and she went after it to get an invite there, too.
However, one of Clarisa’s biggest lessons came early in her Club career when she met one of her first true friends, Presley. Presley embraced Clarisa on her very first day, showing her the ropes, introducing her to the staff and telling her all the best things to do. These small tokens of kindness taught Clarisa how to be kind, and what caring truly meant. So, when a young girl named Melany began attending the Club, she knew exactly what to do.
“When I was about eight, there was a new girl that was in my grade. Being the person I am, I welcomed her like Presley did to me. Melany is one of my closest friends today and it’s all because of Boys & Girls Club.”
All of her Club journey led her to being a 2025 Youth of the Year candidate, a process she loves and will continue to compete in throughout high school.
Sports are also a gigantic part of Clarisa’s life. Whether she’s on the soccer field, in the pool, on the track or in the gym, she always playing a sport. Her athleticism has come very naturally, winning multiple events in her swim meets, leading her AYSO soccer teams and taking home several middle school championships. The first time she ever played basketball was at the Club, where one of her favorite staff Miss Mandy was her coach. She played Club ball for four years before aging out, and it taught her a lot. There are some things she continues to work on, though, that the Club continues to help her with.
“In everything I do, including sports, I struggle with the mental side.”
But through that struggle, Clarisa knows she always has the Club. When she heads to the teen center after practice or a game, she knows the staff will be ready to talk, especially if she feels like it didn’t go well. She loves that the staff can see things she can’t, and they’re ready to help.
“They encourage and support me as if they were my family and friends. I am so grateful to be attending a place like this.”