At just 11 years old, Sarah R. has been coming to Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley for half of her life. Along with her little sister, they attend nearly every day.
“The Club is fun, active and WILD,” Sarah said. “I love this Boys & Girls Club.”
It’s that love for her Club that drove Sarah to want to make it a better place as she got older. She joined her clubhouse’s Torch Club, a group for younger members to learn about service and leadership primarily in their own site. She immediately found a passion for helping those around her and advocating for herself and her friends.
“The Club is the one place that I feel challenged and included,” she said. “Coming here puts a smile on my face every single day.”
In Torch Club, they meet weekly to discuss issues and plan activities for the next week. They also volunteer within their community, including at Lyon County Search and Rescue and the local food bank’s garden.
Several months ago, Sarah decided it was time for a larger role. Through a long, hard process, including running against other great members from her Club, Sarah was elected her Torch Club President.
“Being Torch Club President means being a leader who is kind, responsible, and fair. It means helping others, listening to people’s ideas, and setting a good example.”
Her new role has showed Sarah just how important it is to be responsible, especially when those responsibilities affect others around her. She encourages her peers and the younger members around her to try hard and not give up. She knows that no matter how big or small, everyone can make a difference.
“When everyone picks up just one piece of trash each day, our world becomes cleaner and better for everyone.”
Sarah was announced as Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley’s Junior Youth of the Year at the organization’s annual banquet on February 21, and honor she cherishes because she knows how much it reflects her hard work and love for the Club.
When not at the Club, one of Sarah’s favorite things to do is play soccer. You can also catch her in her favorite subject, math, or dancing in her room to whatever music she feels like that day. When she grows up, she wants to be a pediatrician to help others.