Rockwall Boys & Girls Club honors ‘Angels’, names Youth of the Year winners

Annual breakfast recognizes supporters, yields announcements for club’s expansion

IMG_7696_1 choir cropped — BGC-Rockwall Youth Choir celebrates the season with song. Performing as part of the choir are Jocelyn Billingsly, Elle Clewis, Darby Collyear, MacKenzie Collyear, Caleb Creech, Taylor Lisenbee, Halie Mason, Tira Powell, Chance Swift, Julius Turner, Ella Ward and Nick Williamson.

(ROCKWALL – December 8, 2012) Hardly an empty seat could be found at the Angels Among Us Breakfast Friday. Community leaders, staff and friends of the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County gathered to celebrate the remarkable growth of the club, and to honor the “Angels” who made it possible.

The second annual event raised about $65,000 for the youth development organization through ticket sales, table sponsorships, a live and silent auction, and check presentations, according to CEO Misti Potter.

IMG_7750_1 Karen Coughlin looks at auction item — Karen Coughlin of the Hilton bids on an auction item. The Hilton Leadership Program was recently established for BGC-youth to learn marketing, catering, hotel management and hospitality.

Attendance more than doubled from the previous year, with 220-plus people filling the ballroom at the Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront, serenaded by the BGC Youth Choir.

IMG_7684_1 Rockwall Mayor David Sweet and Billy Quinton — Rockwall Mayor David Sweet and event emcee Billy Quinton share good news about the club.

Stephen Straughan, BGC-Rockwall Board Chairman, set the stage for the spirited celebration with the invocation and welcome. Billy Quinton served as the entertaining emcee.

IMG_7714_1 Naylely Mendoza with judges and award — Youth of the Year Nayely Mendoza poses with judges (from left) Rhonda Beard, Sarah Whittle and Brian Berry. Nayely is the VP of the Torch Club youth leadership and service group for members 10 to 13 years of age.

Youth of the Year

The event recognized the BGC-Rockwall Youth of the Year: Dobbs Elementary sixth grader Nayely Mendoza and Rockwall High School senior Chris Rivera.

Mendoza and Rivera were selected by a panel of three local judges after undergoing a rigorous application and interview process. Proven leadership skills and strong moral character were prerequisites for the award.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the club,” Mendoza told the crowd.

Rivera said, “Not one single thing can describe the value it holds in my heart. The club has helped me in making decisions that have established a positive foundation for my future.”

IMG_7719_2 Chris Rivera — As a BGC-Rockwall Youth of the Year winner, Chris Rivera exhibits sound moral character, demonstrates leadership skills and is active in the Club. He is president of the KeyStone leadership and service group for youth 14 to 18 years of age.

Mendoza and Rivera will advance through a series of competitions that culminate at a Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C. where the National Youth of the Year winner will be announced and awarded more than $50,000 for college expenses.

Angel Awards

The event also featured the presentation of Angel Awards, recognizing community and corporate partners that have volunteered their time, invested their resources and generously supported the club throughout the year.

Among those honored were AMICA, Bimbo Bakeries, Nestle, City of Rockwall, Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront, Kiwanis Club, MedTech Construction, Toyota of Rockwall, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall Breakfast Rotary, Shenaniganz, Taco Casa, TechCorp Texas, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, TrainUp, and Outlaunched.com.

Also recognized was Elite Angel Sponsor Wealth Management Group Investment and Advisory Services at American National Bank.

IMG_7737_1 Stan Haddock TechCorp Texas — Stan Haddock and TechCorp Texas were honored for helping establish the club's new Tech Lab, complete with 15 fully loaded computers, monitors and accessories.

Distinguished Angels sponsors included Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, American National Bank, BB&T Bank, Coldwell Banker, Farmers Electric, Meals on Wheels Senior Services, Nestle Corporation, Soroptimist International, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, and Vincent Lopez Attorneys.

Click to view PHOTO GALLERY.

Special Announcements

IMG_7768_1 Kathy Howe and Straughan — Kathy Howe presents a check to BGC-Rockwall Board Chairman Stephen Straughan.

Following the awards, BGC Board member Kathy Howe, Director of Wealth Management at American National Bank, took the stage for a special announcement.

“American National Bank and the Wealth Management Group have a decade long partnership with LPL Financial Services,” Howe explained. “They’re a very giving and wonderful company who really gives back – not only to their own community, but they work with their partners to give back to their communities as well. I spoke to them about about the Angels Among Us Breakfast and they graciously donated $10,000 on behalf of American National Bank. “

IMG_7774_1 Misti receives check from Brenda and Arianna and Flo the duck cropped — BGC-Rockwall CEO Misti Potter accepts a $15,000 check from Flo T and Rubber Duck Regatta co-chairs Ariana Hargrove and Brenda Cross.

IMG_7744_1 Senator Deuell and the duck — Senator Bob Deuell shares a laugh with Flo.

Also making a special presentation were Ariana Hargrove and Brenda Cross, co-chairs of Rockwall’s inaugural Rubber Duck Regatta. The daylong Duck Fest drew thousands to The Harbor this past September in support of BGC-Rockwall and Meals on Wheels. With the help of the Regatta’s mascot, Flo T Duck, Hargrove and Cross presented a $15,000 check to Potter and BGC-Rockwall.

IMG_7778_1 Senator Deuell and councilman Dennis Lewis presenting — Senator Bob Deuell and Councilman Dennis Lewis presenting.

Capping off the breakfast celebration was the announcement of a generous contribution by the Austin-based Texas Construction Association, to establish the Robert Deuell Performing Arts and Science Center at BGC-Rockwall.

TCA president Raymond Risk and Rockwall City Councilman Dennis Lewis took the stage to make the presentation in honor of Senator Deuell – a former BGC member, longtime supporter of the BGC, and accomplished musician.

IMG_7779_1 Misti at podium — Misti Potter, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County, shares her passion at the podium.

Risk explained that the Texas Construction Association, whose board members share a growing fondness for the Boys & Girls Club of Texas, heard about the good work being done at the Rockwall club. “I asked your Rockwall Councilman Dennis Lewis, who happens to be a member of the Texas Construction Association, to stop by the club and see what’s going on. He encountered Misti Potter…and it’s really an encounter,” Risk said, drawing an approving laugh from the crowd. “She is one dynamic lady and you all are so fortunate to have her in this position.”

IMG_7725_1 Sentator Bob Deuell with the Nayley and Chris — Sentator Bob Deuell congratulates Youth of the Year winners, Nayely Mendoza and Chris Ramirez.

Lewis took the mic and added that it’s exciting to see the work that the BGC is doing in Rockwall County, pointing out how impressed he is with the two young people who won the Youth of the Year Award. “It’s not easy to get up and talk to a group of people, and they handled it like pros. That’s just further validation of the good work that Misti and the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall are doing,” Lewis said.

He explained that in an effort to combine a significant need and current programming void at the Boys & Girls Club with the personal interests and skill sets of Senator Deuell, Potter and the BGC-Rockwall identified the opportunity to renovate facility space for performing arts in areas of music, dance, theater, oratory clubs and more. These programs will be implemented and instructed by professionals from throughout each of these industries.

Another area identified for expansion is the BGC’s current Adventure Center – a program where youth have the opportunity to conduct science experiments and learn about many aspects of science in general. This will be taught by paid employees, supplemented by volunteers, for youth ages 6 to 18.

“The Texas Construction Association wants to be a contributor to that program, so it is our honor to present a check to Misti and BGC for the establishment of the Robert Deuell Performing Arts and Science Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall,” Lewis concluded.

Click to view PHOTO GALLERY.

Written by Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News.

To submit your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.

Rockwall Boys & Girls Club honors ‘Angels’, names Youth of the Year winners