Flags and ribbons at Boys and Girls Club opening

The Hanna Miner Memorial Parks and Recreation Center welcomed the Boys and Girls Club to open their 9th chapter in the state.

The ribbon cutting was attended by close to 150, with many children and young adults in the audience.

Sue Jones, Chairperson of the Carbon County Commissioners, was in attendance along with Carbon County Commissioner John Johnson . New Hanna mayor Jon Ostling was present as was the former Hanna mayor Lois Buchanan. Representatives from Holly-Frontier Sinclair and Rocky Mountain Power also came to the event.

Senator John Barrasso attended and clearly enjoyed meeting the townspeople and kids in attendance.

Before the ribbon cutting the attendees and speakers gathered in the gym. First up was Hanna Parks and Recreation Director William Armstrong who told the audience there were some messages from well wishers he wanted to share with the crowd. 

The first message read was from Senator Cynthia Lummis.

She said, "Thank you for inviting me to this exciting ribbon-cutting to open a Boys and Girls Club here in Hanna  While I apologize for not being there in person to join in the celebration, I appreciate having the chance to share my thoughts and congratulate those who worked so hard to make this happen.  

As a parent, it is our responsibility to look out for our children's well-being.  This includes everything from making sure they are healthy, fed, and clothed to teaching them personal responsibility, how to become respectful to others, and to strive to do their best. It is a difficult task to say the least, but sometimes we need to look to others and offer to help others to teach and work with the children of our community to achieve those goals.  The old adage 'it takes a village' frequently comes to mind when it comes to raising children, and I know that this new Boys and Girls Club in Hanna is going to pay dividends in how it will benefit children in our community for years to come.  

Boys and Girls Clubs across the nation and especially in Wyoming play such a vital part in our communities.  It provides opportunities for our children to work and play together, spend a little bit of time away from their screens and go play sports outside.  I know that so many parents are busy, but having opportunities like those offered by Boys and Girls Clubs available to them, allow them to have the flexibility so that their children have activities to do, which may have been difficult to coordinate with the work schedule of many parents.  

I also want to thank Theresa Pacheco for her tireless efforts to make this happen. With this being only the 9th Boys and Girls Club in Wyoming, it is amazing to think that it is in Hanna and not one of the larger cities. That goes to show that everyone here put forth a tremendous amount of effort to make that happen. I tip my hat to everyone here for what they have done.  Congratulations and happy trails,"

The next message of congratulations came from Wyoming's First Lady, Jennie Gordon.

Her message said, "One of my favorite parts about Boys and Girls Clubs is that they have incorporated a meal component into their daily activity to ensure that each member has access to fresh produce and protein. The club recognizes that nourishment is critical to success and it has been my privilege to partner with this organization. I wish this new chapter success here in Carbon County. This 9th chapter headquartered in Hanna where it serves several small rural communities shows how much the Boys and Girls Club cares about helping all children in Wyoming."

Armstrong finished with the third message from Congresswoman Harriet Hageman.

She put forth, "It is an honor for me to join in congratulating the town of Hanna and the Boys and Girls Club of America on this exciting new venture. With today's ribbon cutting, we now have nine chapters in Wyoming. This commitment to our state, and to towns such as Hanna, means so much to us, in so many ways.

Everyone is aware of the Boys and Girls Club programs that provide for the physical development of our youth. This is an important aspect of what the club does and if that was its only function, we would still consider them a great asset to our communities. Across the country, obesity and other complications of our country's increasingly sedentary lifestyle are at an all time high. Providing fun environments for kids to play sports, exercise and interact with others is a worthwhile investment for any town. But perhaps, even more than this physical development, is the development of life skills that are critical for success.

 We are at a period in our nation's history where limitless information can be found in just a few clicks of a mouse or taps of a finger. Yet, even with all this information, there are many lessons and skills that are best learned–and in many cases, only learned– in person. Lessons such as how to develop good moral character, be a productive citizen, live a healthy lifestyle, give back to our community, and be respectful to others. Skills such as managing finances, properly managing our natural resources, career development, and exploring STEM. The Boys and Girls club has a more than 160-year history of ensuring that kids not only learn these lessons and skills, but have fun doing it.

 The children and families of Hanna will benefit from this club for years to come. I look forward to seeing the success of this partnership and welcome additional clubs that will continue to benefit Wyomingites."

After the messages, Armstrong introduced the Carbon County Boys and Girls Club Director Theresa Pacheco.

Pacheco pointed out The Boys and Girls Club (CLUB) of America's vision and goals are to enable all young people, especially those who need the Club the  most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Their mission is to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters the Club's  doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.

The Club believes every kid has what it takes. The mission and core beliefs of Clubs fuel the commitment to promoting safe, positive and inclusive environments for all. Boys and Girls Clubs of America supports all youth and teens of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status and religion in reaching their full potential.

Pacheco looks at the Club as a place for kids to grow and interact with fellow members and learn about many things.

"I would like to see our kids here in Carbon County use these resources and expand off to college which hopefully will lead to careers," Pacheco said. "The club really can be beneficial to so many young adults and children alike."

She explained what she hoped to see happen.

"In Hanna we will introduce programs, such as "Youth of the Month", where their pictures are on the wall and recognized for all the good things they have accomplished. There is also a 'Youth of the Year', where 14 to 18 year olds compete statewide and the winner goes on to compete nationally. The national winner–college is paid for."

The Club, according to Pacheco, is an enhancement to their education.

Once Pacheco finished, she introduced Senator Barrasso 

"This opening is a positive thing," Barrasso said. "It fills a need in the  community and a need we have right here in town. It is just so positive to have this opening here, that is why we wanted to come in person to tell you how excited we are about this happening."

The Senator said the Club gave values that were etched in the "Cowboy" makeup. 

"The Cowboy Code is that we do the work that needs to get done and that is what the people in this community do everyday," Barrasso said. "America is the land of opportunity based on your efforts. Wyoming is a state of hard working people. The people of this state are resilient, self-reliant and we believe the Boys and Girls Club of America will teach skills to make better citizens."

Barrasso was a little surprised when he asked the kids in the audience if they ever heard of Teddy Roosevelt.

"No," shouted many of the kids drowning out those who yelled yes.

Barrasso explained Roosevelt's face was one of the presidents on Mount Rushmore and he loved Wyoming. 

"Roosevelt was educated at the University of Wyoming and Roosevelt said he got an excellent education, but the real education he took away was the strong character he saw in the residents of Wyoming. The Boys and Girls Club is all about character." Barrasso said. "Roosevelt told residents from Wyoming, I believe in your future and I believe in you."

Barrasso then asked the kids if they had ever heard of President John Kennedy.

"No." came the shout again. 

It should be noted this loud no came from the younger children sitting together who were getting a chance to test their vocal chords.

"John Kennedy gave a speech at the University of Wyoming where he told the students the future belongs to those who seize it." Barrasso said. "Has anybody heard of Ronald Reagan?"

The no answer resounded again.

"Well I did hear a few say I have heard of him," Barrasso said. "But those who keep shouting no, the Boys and Girls Club is going to be good for you." 

Barrasso told the audience when Reagan came to Wyoming, the president told residents, the future was theirs to shape.

"Whether it was Roosevelt, Kennedy or Reagan; they were all talking about the future," Barrasso said. "The Boys and Girls Club is about getting ready for the future. So I came in person to give the message these past presidents did–by having a Boys and Girls Club here, we are investing in your future."

Next Barrasso told the audience he was giving the chapter a special flag.

"This is a flag, I had flown personally over the Capitol building specifically for this day," Barrasso said as he pulled out a folded flag. "It was flown with the knowledge it was being given to the Boys and Girls Club in the town of Hanna."

He presented the flag to Pacheco.

"This was a great success," Barrasso concluded. "Thank you for allowing me to join you on this day."

Lane Anderson from Rocky Mountain Power presented a check for $5,000 to help the Club.

After the speeches were over, the audience left the gym to try treats from local baker Granny D's and watch the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Once the ceremony was concluded, the kids and guests mingled. Some parents started signing children up for the Club once they found what it offered.

The Hanna chapter will cost $5 a week for five days. This includes a snack.

"We realize that times are tough and some people are struggling a little bit, its a dollar a day essentially," Pacheco said. "This means $20 a month and $100 for a semester. People have the choice of paying by the day or can do a semester. We try to make it as easy as possible for families."

The Club serves grades K to 12.

Pacheco said the Club is working with Carbon School District No. 2 so kids will be able to take a bus after school in order to attend the Club.

"Parents will be responsible for picking up their kids at 6 p.m.," Pacheco said. "If they are running late, a call is always appreciated because we understand the circumstances where a pickup is delayed, but we need to know, if only to let the kids know what is happening."

The University of Wyoming is working with the Club by providing educational materials and programs.

"As a matter of fact the University is loaning us their maker lab in the fall," Pacheco said. "The kids will be able to 3-D print, for instance. There are all sorts of things they can do."

The Club in Hanna will only be open during the school year to begin with. There may be a time when the Club will also be open during the summer.

"This is being classified as a community impact program," Pacheco said. "So we are going to see how this takes off. Then we will see if the following year we can include summer."

Funding for the club comes from different sources Pacheco said. "Some funding might come from the Department of Education," she said. "We do fundraising several times a year, because things do cost money. Also by fundraising, we get some buy-in from the local community which is always good."

Pacheco said she hopes the success of the opening will continue as the Hanna Boys and Girls Club starts to teach the Carbon County kids in the different communities.

"If today is any indication of the interest in our Club", Pacheco said. "I feel pretty good about our future here."