2015 Youth of the Year Competition Candidates

Congratulations to all of the fabulous candidates that we had participate in this year's Youth of the Year Competition.  All six of these teenagers exemplified the character and leadership that we, as an organization, look for when deciding on these candidates.  May I be one of many to congratulate you all on your dedication and hard work!

Martin Luther King Day

On January 19th, Martin Luther King Day, we had several activities going on.  The first big field trip of the day was our annual ice fishing day.  Eight members had the chance to go ice fishing on Lake Minnetonka.  They were able to learn how to ice fish, learn about MN fish as well as eat a nice lunch at Lord Fletcher's.

While these members were off on this adventure, we were getting our National Youth of the Year candidate ready for his interview at the administration office.  Guadalupe Tovalin, who is a 19th grader this year at Humboldt, has been chosen as the Al Lenzmeier west Side Candidate.

We also had the privilege of having volunteers come to our location from Saint Olaf.  We had about eight volunteers that came to spend the day with us.  All of these college students were aspiring teachers in training.  We also had fifteen volunteers from College Possible who spent the day with us as well.

We gave them the tour of our West Side Club and then allowed them to choose where they believe that they would be most comfortable.  These volunteers helped in the gym, playing basketball and supervising high yield activities as well as played pool and foosball with our members in the games room.

Our Education Director, Sam Hausker, showed our members how to make play dough and they had a great time focused on imaginative play.

Some volunteers created arts and crafts with the members.  More specifically creating rubber band bracelets as well as helping our staff with the making of our Martin Luther King Day Quilt.  Each member were given a paper square to decorate that included what their dreams are for themselves or for the world.  Once this is completed, we plan to have this laminated and hung up in the club.

For lunch, our staff prepared a fantastic feast that included fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread.

Overall, it was a great day filled with lots of fun and imaginative activities.  Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that made this such a special day!

Teen Movie Night at Club!

Please come and join us for our weekly teen night activity!  This week, we will be showing a movie!

Lupe Tovalin, National Youth of the Year Candidate

I would like to take the time to introduce to you Lupe Tovalin, our National Youth of the Year Candidate for the West Side Boys and Girls Club.  

Lupe has been coming to the club for seven years.  He is always the first member to enter our doors, and typically one of the last to leave at the end of the day.  He is a great role model for all members both older and younger by putting leadership, character, values and healthy living as some of the pillars to his success.

Lupe is a committed member to our Keystone Leadership and has been for the past two years.  He has been an integral part of orchestrating teen nights at the club as well as tutoring younger members in the STARS Room.

We have had the privilege to hire Lupe as our Junior Staff this fall and he is a punctual, reliable and hardworking member to our team.

Not only dos Lupe take the commitment to his club seriously, but he is also committed to his high school.  At Humboldt High School, Lupe has been able to attain a 3.95 GPA as well as being involved in extracurriculars such as LINK Crew and on his Varsity Basketball Team.

It is because of all of these things and more, that we are pleased to announce our candidate for National Youth of the Year.  Congratulations to Lupe!  We are very proud of you!

Keystone's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

This past Saturday, our Keystone Leadership Team hosted their first fundraiser Pancake Breakfast from 8 am-noon.  I am pleased to report that this was a huge success.  Members came to the club as early as 7 am to prepare for serving and hosting this special event.

Members cooked sausage links, eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes for all who came and purchased a ticket.  When people arrived, Jennifer Argenal, Karla Torres, and Coretta Bieter seated them, collected tickets and served each table.  In the kitchen, Malik Martin, Lupe Tovalin and Manny Storay flipped the pancakes and made sure that we had enough ready when more people came.  Eric Martin, Rene Elias and Darian Gordon cooked all of the sausage links and Olivia Becerra made sure that they had coffee and orange juice. Bella Mendoza, Maggie Hendricks and DaShawnna Norris worked at the front desk selling raffle tickets for $1.00 and letting guests into the building.

Special thank you to our parent volunteers, Michelle Masterjohn and Nick Bieter, who came and helped us.  Your support and time was greatly appreciated.  Also a special thanks to my staff members, Samantha Hausker and Teria Masterjohn who came and helped as well.

Overall, the fundraiser raised $300.00 for the Keystone Leadership Team and the money raised will go to their first winter adventure.  Can't wait until our next fundraising event!

Keystone's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Join Al Lenzmeier West Side Club for a pancake breakfast this Saturday the 10th from 8am to Noon! Cost is $4 for adults (9 and older) and $2 for kids (8 and under). There will also be a $1 raffle to win a bike! All proceeds go to the Club. The event is being put on by West Side's Keystone Club (members age 14-18 focused on academic success, career preparation and community service). Al Lenzmeier West Side is located at 291 E. Belvidere St, Saint Paul MN 55107. Call 651-222-2212 for further information.