Meet Brooklyn S., a young leader from Dayton
Five years old, the summer entering kindergarten. That’s when kids can start attending a clubhouse at Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley. Brooklyn S., this year’s Member of the Year from Dayton, wasted no time starting her Club journey.
Now in fifth grade and 10 years old, Brooklyn has been coming to the Club since she could, when her club site was located at Riverview Elementary. Her sister had started attending before she did, and it was something she looked forward to ever since her family moved to Dayton when she was two.
“When she first started coming, she was missing both of her front teeth,” Joslyn Montano, one of the clubhouse’s youth development professionals, said. “She was gone for a little bit, and when she came back she shocked all of us staff with her new smile.”
It’s the staff at the Club that keep Brooklyn coming back, she said.
“The staff are really nice. It’s really fun here, and the staff let us play on the playground and always have awesome projects for us.”
Brooklyn stands out as one of the most helpful members at the Club. Whether it’s asking if any of the adults need assistance or going out of her way to cheer up or check in on a member having a bad day, the 10-year-old is always there for her peers and those around her.
“We have a lot of younger members that really look up to her,” Montano said.
Officially a tween, Brooklyn signed up for her clubhouse’s Torch Club, a community service and Club leadership group ran at all Boys & Girls Clubs. She is the group’s newest president, running away with the election. One of her favorite activities is Reading Buddies. During the afternoon, Torch Club members will get together with the littler members, selecting a few books and reading aloud to them.
“She is mindful, thoughtful and is always willing to help. Never an issue. She is the quintessential member.,” Randall Wilcox, the site’s director, said.
When she’s not at the Club, Brooklyn can be found doing competitive cheer, throwing her teammates into the air during stunts. She also loves being at home with her family and pets. She lives with her parents and older sister and has two dogs, Peanut and Junior.
Her favorite activities at the Club include jump roping and playing Murder Mystery. She also recently joined Drama Matters, one of the new programs offered during the Club’s current block for staff choice.