Boys & Girls Clubs of King County Quarterly All-Star Staff!

Thank you for setting the example for the organization on serving youth, families, and the community. We are proud of the work that you do each day to give youth the opportunity to be successful in life.

Chiquita Wright, Youth Development Professional, Kirkland 

Chiquita has been a solid addition to the Kirkland team since starting last year. She works hard, always has a positive attitude and is someone all our kids and staff look up to. Chiquita simply makes Kirkland a better place because of her continued leadership. Thank you, Chiquita! 

Chloe Jenckes, Program Director, Rosa Parks 

Chloe’s dedication to building meaningful relationships with kids and parents and providing a safe place for children to learn and explore is truly inspiring. She has made a large impact at Rosa Parks and that shows with a program that has reached capacity and a growing waitlist. Great job, Chloe! 

Cooper Carlson, Education Director, Lawton 

Cooper goes ABOVE and BEYOND to make sure the kids, families, community, and staff are all taken care of.  The kids, staff, and parents adore them! Cooper gives their all to make sure all runs smoothly at the Club.  Cooper is a huge asset to Lawton, the Boys &Girls community! We are so lucky to have them! 

David Buchanan, Program Director, Sacajawea

David joined the team in May and has shown tremendous leadership and an eagerness to grow within the Clubs and learn all he can! He rocked his first year running a Club summer camp and continually shows up every day positive, professional, and ready to take on whatever the day holds. Thank you for everything you do, David!

Deirdre Myrin, Program Director, Carson 

Deirdre has a talent for creating an environment that encourages kids to explore their creativity and express themselves. She allows the kids in her program to take the lead in their own learning and development by having a voice that is heard and valued. Thank you, Deirdre! 

Dex Registe, Athletic Coordinator, Sammamish 

Dex has done a great job building relationships with the schools, the community and parents to continue building up the athletic program. He has that drive to want more and that shows through all of his hard work! Beyond that, Dex is the best example of a team player. No matter what is going on, he is willing to jump in and help support anyone on his team. Thank you, Dex!

Duncan Noah, Youth Development Professional, Bagley 

Duncan has been such a great addition to Bagley this year! He has been so flexible and reliable, he takes initiative, is a great team player, and he goes above and beyond his duties as a YDP. Duncan puts a lot of care and understanding into helping children with self-regulation and will always stop everything he is doing to help kiddos that are having a tough day. Even with the staffing shortage at Bagley, Duncan will also run fun programs with the kids, and puts thought into everything he plans. We are so grateful to have you on the team at Bagley, Duncan! We appreciate you!

Jarred Galloway, SE Network Circle Keeper, SE Network

Jarred is a SE Network Circle Keeper and has done such an amazing job leading our circles here at SRV and our Community Healing Space Activation. Jarred’s willingness to help out where he is needed has really made an impact on our team. He also brings style and a sense of humor.   Thank you, Jarred, for all your hard work and dedication! 

Jasmine Glass, Program Director, Redmond 

Jasmine has been such a strong leader for the Redmond El team. No matter what hardship or barrier that is in the way, she is able to persevere and lead her team through it. On top of that, she helps support quality programming and creates an environment where the kids feel safe, understand expectations but also are able to be their true selves. Thank you, Jasmine, for all that you do! 

Jessica Derosier, Education Director, Bagley 

Jessica has been working as a YDP at the Bagley club since April of 2021, and was just recently promoted into the role of Education Director. Since Jessica started, she has made an intentional and lasting impact on the youth she has worked with. Jessica puts a lot of time and compassion into understanding the needs of all youth and will also take the time to help them work through conflicts in a healthy way. Jessica is an extremely hard worker and has been so resilient and patient with all the changes at Bagley over the years. She has really stepped up in her new leadership role and has taken on the planning of Bagley’s biggest event of the year, the Harvest Hootenanny! Thank you for all you do Jessica!

Justin Leong, Program Director, Wallingford 

Justin has done an amazing job managing Wallingford’s elementary program, which serves over 150 youth per day.  Justin started out as a YDP and was the education director before being promoted to program director in summer 2022. It’s a very challenging role, but he has taken it on and been able to grow the program and make it even better. His calm demeanor and careful consideration of our youth and program needs makes him a favorite with our kids, families and staff alike.  Thank you, Justin, for all of the hard work you do!

Kevin Myrtil, Youth Development Professional, Ballard 

Kevin is an outstanding YDP here at Ballard.  Kevin makes sure to take the time to form meaningful relationships with all of the youth in his room.  He also sets a high standard for the quality programs he runs and is always willing to take on new challenges.  Kevin is well respected by all the staff and adored by the members. He’s always willing to go above and beyond to help the Club! 

Kevin Wiese, Youth Development Professional, View Ridge 

Shout out to Kevin from View Ridge! We appreciate you going the extra mile always! He is always volunteering for the org, attending training, and helping out at other clubs when needed. We appreciate all the hard work that you do – you’re a ROCKSTAR! 

Kiarra Scott, Teen Director, Renton/Skyway 

Kiarra is doing a wonderful job at Renway/Skyways Club.  And she is finding more ways to bring in more teens at her site. Kiarra excels in her ability to connect with each teen in the program. The teens just love her! Plus, she does a grade check every week to see where each one of her teens is doing in school. Kiarra, we salute you for being our All-Star Staff of the Quarter! 

Kingsley Nimako, Youth Development Professional, Rainier Vista 

Kingsley has an amazing gift for connecting with any teen who walks into the Club. During drop-in time, he can be heard checking in with teens about their day, career goals, and serving as a sounding board for the middle and high schoolers he serves daily. Additionally, his calm voice and demeanor can quickly de-escalate a dispute on the basketball court simply by putting his arm around a teen and talking to them on the side before they rejoin the game. He runs an incredibly popular custom shoe design program, and teens are excited to sign up for the winter session. His passion for football has made Rainier Vista’s engagement with the Gamechangers program even more impactful thanks to the relationships he’s built with teens and their trust that the activities he’s encouraging them to participate in will be fun and beneficial now and in the future. 

Landon Young, Youth Development Professional, Mark Twain 

Since starting the school year, Landon has helped cover at multiple clubs across the Eastside. He always has a positive attitude, and the kids are guaranteed to have a great day when they are with him. We appreciate Landon going above and beyond with his flexibility and all he does for our team! 

Leah Diamond, Youth Development Professional, Bainbridge Island 

Leah started as a Club kid then took the initiative to start the Bainbridge Keystone Club and is now a Club staff. Every day she shows up with all the energy to help the kids have the same amazing Club experience that she had. The kids enjoy her energy, card game experience, and love of dance. Leah always makes the Club fun! 

Najae Townsend, YouthForce Program Manager, YouthForce 

Our in-house talent, Najae is funny, musical, and a foodie that can cook! She connects extremely well with the youth. She brings a very warm welcoming presence to any room she steps in. She has done an excellent job with our new YouthForce program at Federal Way EX3 Teen Center. She has made sure the program stays on track while providing case management for all 12 interns to provide them with additional support. Najae also helps with our STEM program. We really appreciate her willingness to always help and handle any task that is given to her. She is a great member of our team! 

Patrice Freeman, Nutrition Coordinator, Rainier Vista 

When youth walk into the doors of Rainier Vista, Rotary, and the Renton-Skyway Teen Center, they know they’ll have access to not only fantastic programs, but also a scratch-made dinner. Ms. Patrice has been carefully and attentively ensuring that the youth and teens of three different communities have well-balanced, culturally diverse, and kid-friendly options. In addition to providing meals for traditional club programs, this school year she has also stepped up to ensure that the student-athletes of Great Futures Prep have a hearty lunch daily. We appreciate Ms. Patrice for consistently being flexible and open to trying new things, receiving feedback, and being a positive presence in the club. 

Soledad Saucedo, Education Director, James Baldwin 

Soledad is the epitome of an All Star! Soledad is passionate about working with youth and planning amazing programs for them at our James Baldwin site! She is always going above and beyond her duties, taking initiative, and being an incredible leader for the staff and the kids. Soledad has also done an amazing job at helping out at other sites when they need staff, stepping in wherever she is needed and supporting the staff she works with. She has the skills to rally massive groups of kids and keep them engaged at the same time. Soledad has also been a HUGE help with communicating with Spanish-speaking families and children in the programs, especially at Bagley when she is there.  She is one of the most hardworking and dedicated staff I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with! Thank you so much, Soledad! We appreciate you!

Tim Batten-King, Sr. Teen Director, North Seattle 

What can we say about Tim…. He’s the heart of the Club. Tim always has a positive attitude and is a great mentor for our kids and teens. He is the glue to our team, and he makes our whole program better. He’s always up for coming in early or staying late, whatever the Club needs. He has a great vision and is always looking to serve more kids and make the program better. He does this with a smile and laugh which is contagious with the staff. He makes every day better and we are lucky to have him at the North Seattle Club. In his senior teen director role, he also does so much for BGCKC, managing the TAB, mentoring new directors, and helping in many other ways.  He’s an awesome team member for so many folks in our org! 

Vanessa Arias, Program Director, Mercer Island 

Vanessa is our new Program Director at Mercer Island. Vanessa is an integral part of the team. Vanessa brings an amazing amount of passion, creativity, patience, initiative, and kindness to her new role.  We love what you are doing!  Keep up the great work you do for the kids! 

Resource Development Team, Club Service Center 

Thank you and great job to the Resource Development Team:    

Dawn Tyler, 

Deb Baker, 

Donna Romanick,  

Jasmine Finkley,  

Jayme Hommer,  

Kathy Savory,  

Melissa Pederson,  

Melissa Stuart,  

Paige Peterson,  

Paige Ronsen,  

Phil Zoshak,  

Rachel Long,  

Tré Beauchamp  

(Missing from photo: Melissa S, Melissa P) For an amazing 2023 Great Futures Gala & Auction.     While the financial results were incredible……..   $1,156,600, beating the budget of $1,000,000 by 15%, the way the event brought together the BGCKC community to raise awareness and much-needed funds for our Mental Wellness Programs was simply amazing. The RD Team spent the last year working on every detail of this event which made the difference in every way. The set up, decorations, ballroom, marketing, take down, the management of the event, check in and check out etc. The actual event was full of energy, passion, tears throughout the video and Elodie’s interview and drove home to all in the room that the BGCKC focus of the importance of supporting Mental Wellness for our youth and staff is essential to supporting great futures.   All of the time and energy working for the past 6 months with each of our CAB members and Area, Executive Directors to fill the room was an accomplishment that everyone should be extremely proud of.   Congratulations RD Team! Way to go on this amazing accomplishment!