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BAY MILLS - The Boys & Girls Club of Bay Mills hosted its first recognition dinner on Dec. 21, 2005 at the Bay Mills Resort and Casinos' Horizons Conference Center. According to club Director Ken Hopper, in addition to showcasing the hard work and dedication of staff members, the dinner was a chance to recognize not only the effort put forth by the kids involved, but the board members, parents and volunteers, as well.
"We wanted to recognize the dedication of everyone involved with the club, especially those behind the scenes," Hopper said. "And we wanted to show how much we value those traits that help make our club a success. Hopefully, it will help inspire others to try and achieve what they have."
The 150-plus people in attendance were treated to performances by the P.R.I.D.E. Drum and Dance Group, a dinner prepared by Sacy's Restaurant staff, a slide show, presentations from board members and staff, and a message from Senator Debbie Stabenow via her representative Sherri Davie. While board members, staff and kids all took their chance to sing their praises of Hopper and what he means to the club, Hopper humbly offered what he believed to be the secret ingredient for the club's success - the staff!
"I've been blessed with a phenomenal staff," Hopper said. "I truly have. They're the ones making the biggest impression on the kids; they're the ones running the day-to-day operations and they're the one's making sure the kids are being sent in the right direction. Nothing at the club would have been possible if it wasn't for them."
And as for the 12-member, all-volunteer Board of Directors, Hopper said they play a very important role as well.
"They are the finest group of people I have ever had the pleasure of working with," Hopper said of the 12 board members. "They are committed to our mission here at the Boys & Girls Club."
The following received awards at the Boys & Girls Club recognition dinner: Unsung Hero: Joan Jerman; Partner of the Year: Bay Mills Community College; Junior Staff of the Year: Kyle Tadgerson; Male Parent of the Year: Aaron Tadgerson; Female Parent of the Year: Cyndie Teeple; Board Member of the Year: Diane Teeple; Staff of the Year: Brandon Kerfoot; Most Improved Member of the Year: Amanda Teeple; Age 5-7 Youth of the Year: Panika Teeple; Age 8-12 Youth of the Year: RaeLynn Hunter; Age 13-18 Youth of the Year: Nashoba Stobnicke; Volunteer of the Year: Jay Memegos.
