Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 8, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 23 February 2006 — Page 25

ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/A.W. GADSON Nate Ervin, 7, prepares to take a shot, while Taylor Miller, 7, awaits the outcome in the Game Room of the Boys & Girls Club of Nappanee.

Club offers bin and education to youths

By Anthony Godson Editor The Boys & Girls Club Nappanee began as an idea by Nappanee residents, but after a decade, that idea has become a successful reality. "A group of residents got together in the mid-1990'5, feeling there was a need," Boys & Girls Club of Nappanee Executive Director Marcus Johnson said about the inception of the club. That group then approached the Boys & Girls Club of America with their views. As Johnson explains, the national organization would rather see existing clubs grow, rather than having separate clubs spread out throughout the country. Because of this, the Nappanee club joined the existing Boys & Girls Club of Goshen. ‘ "In 1998, we joined together with the Goshen club, which will actually be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year," Johnson said. With Nappanee's involvement in the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen, the Boys & Girls Club

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FILE PHOTO The Boys & Girls Clubs from Nappanee and Middlebury got together late last year to partake in a real-life game of “CLUE.” (Left to right) Emily Carter, Karissa McCoy, Ashley Steffenson, Katie Stewart, Stefani Kraniak and Tessa Paulus look in horror as Allison Klotz checks Nick London’s vital signs.

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of Greater Goshen was formed, which added a Middlebury chapter in 2002. Combined, the three clubs serve more than 3,000 youths annually, with over 600 coming through the doors each day. In Nappanee alone, over 400 members exist, and in 2005, approximately 130 students would get out of school and visit the club daily. "Our job is to get kids engaged," Johnson said. While at the club, youths can participate in learning stations, games or athletics. An underlying message at the club is that everything that is done, is done to better the children's lives. Even in the Game Room, where many tournaments are put on, Johnson pointed out that a simple game of billiards can be rewarding. "We only have one pool cue," he said. "We do that, because with only one, it must be shared. In doing so, 'please' and 'thank-yous' are needed.''. Such a simple gesture fits right in with the mission statement for the Boys & Girls Club

of Greater Goshen, which is "To inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens." To meet that statement, the Nappanee club focuses on five areas to make well-rounded youths: Sports, Fitness and Recreation; Education and Career Development; Arts; Leadership and Character Development; and Health and Life Skills. SPORTS, FITNESS AND RECREATION "The Boys & Girls Club of America is a national organization, but each individual club has its differences," Johnson said. "At North Wood, sports and athletics are big, so at this club, our sports, fitness and recreation is important." Among the activities local high school-aged, and some middle school-aged youths may participate in are basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and others. The club has varsity teams,

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ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/A.W. GADSON North Wood High School junior Kenneth Overmyer gets some studying done at the Boys & Girls Club of Nappanee.

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ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/A.W GADSON Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Nappanee take some time out to sing.

which participate in the Michiana Youth Sports League along with other Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as two other teams. "If they are in high school, and don't play at North Wood, they can come and play on our varsity team," Johnson said. The only way a student wouldn't be allowed to partici-

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Advance News • Thursday, February 16, 2006 •

pate in a sport, is if he or she participated in that same sport during the same year while in school. "You can't get mad at a coach, quit the team, then come here and play," Johnson said. "But if you. have played in a sport in a different year, the student could play here." Along with playing other

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teams, the club also offers intramural sports, allowing Nappanee club members to play against other Nappanee club members. As recreation, the club offers many tournaments ranging from Ping-Pong to Euchre. The See BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, Page 12

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