Five-year-old Reese W. is only a kindergartener at Yerington Elementary School. But, talking to him, you’d never guess that.
“Kindergarteners are usually very wormy,” Kaydence Hernandez, the Club’s Yerington director, said. “But Reece isn’t. He’s very, very smart for his age.”
Reece, affectionately known as Reece’s Pieces by many of the staff at the Club, was recently named the Yerington clubhouse’s Member of the Year. His nickname not only stems from his actual name, but also his love of snacks, which really is just candy he bugs the staff for almost every day.
On just about any day, the energetic little boy can be found in the gamesroom where two of his favorite staff, Ms. Kaydence and Ms. Jackie, work throughout the week. He likes playing all sorts of games with them and hops onto foosball with his friends Isaiah, James and Matthew. Dancing tops his list of favorite things to do, and he’s never afraid to show off his moves. His energy was put to good use this past winter when he played in the Kindergarten and first grade division of the Club’s youth basketball league.
In a recent session of Brain Gain, one of the Club’s more than 15 programs offered throughout the year, Reece was even elected as president of his programming group in Race for President.
“He just has a very soft touch,” Hernandez said. “He’s very kind and empathetic to the other members. And he always chips in to help with dinner and hand out milk.”
When Reece is home with his mom, Valerie, dad, Cody and three-year-old little brother, Jet, he spends his weekends playing with magnets, trying to beat his new game Race through Pattern Palace and goes on plenty of adventures. His favorite food is string cheese, favorite colors are blue, green and red, and favorite tv show is, as he puts it, “Youtube.”
Reese received his Member of the Year award at the 2025 Youth of the Year Banquet, getting on stage to accept his certificate and dance for the 300-plus in attendance.
“I got to get an award (at Youth of the Year), and it felt really good,” Reece said. “My mommy even let me have a cupcake.”