Kishi – Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence

Kishi

"Most of my friends are from different schools, like South, because of Boys & Girls Club. It would be harder to get my homework done, too, if I didn't come here. I get unfocused when I’m am at home. When I go to the Power Hour room, I get more focused and do my work."

Fun Pic
Kishi Southwest Middle School

What grade were you in when you started coming to Boys & Girls Club?
“I was in second grade. At that time I went to Cordley Elementary BGC. Then I went to Hillcrest for my fifth grade year.”

What do you remember about your early Boys & Girls Club days?
“I remember at the end of the school day, I would quickly run to get in the BGC line. I remember that my group leader’s name was Mr. August and that is the same as my birth month, so it was easy to remember.”

What were you like as a little kid?
“I was really shy, especially when it’s the first day of something. Once I get into a conversation, and I’m really into it, then I talk more.”

Who was your first friend from Boys & Girls Club?
“My very first friend from BGC was Rachel. I met her in second grade. She still is my friend from Southwest.”

Why did your mom want you to go to Boys & Girls Club?
“She wanted me to go because I’m an only child. I don’t have much to do at home. She also knows that I have fun here – because I do!”

Why do you choose to come to Boys & Girls Club instead of going home?
“The activities that we do here are really fun and they are way better than sitting alone waiting for someone to come home. For example, I am in the DIY Club where we get to make stuff. I learned how to make a bracelet and I made a fortune teller. In our home bases, we get activities about our theme of the week. This week our theme is Lawrence, Kansas. We played a quiz game and our group leaders put us on two teams. Whoever could answer the question faster would get the point. We got to learn more about Kansas – it was a really interesting way to learn. Like, I learned that it’s illegal to keep a bee in your hat.”

What is your favorite spot in the whole Teen Center?
“I move around a lot when I’m here, but I would probably say outside. I love being out there. We play Knockout on the basketball court sometimes, and it’s exciting because sometimes I win!”

If you could pick a favorite BGC staff member at the Teen Center – who would it be?
“I would have to say Ms. Ruthie. She was my favorite from last year and still is now. She is really fun and has the greatest ideas.”

Do you ever wonder what would happen if you stopped coming here after school?
“I wouldn’t have as much fun because I wouldn’t get to see any of my friends that don’t go to Southwest. Most of my friends are from different schools, like South, because of Boys & Girls Club. It would be harder to get my homework done, too. I get unfocused when I’m am at home. There isn’t much to do there, but I still lose my focus. When I go to the Power Hour room, I get more focused and do my work.”

What’s a Club activity that you thought would be lame – but ended up being a lot of fun?
“They might not listen, but I would tell them that it really isn’t lame. Even if they don’t listen, it would make me feel better. But I would tell them they should always try something, even if it’s just once.”

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