March 23rd, 2010 Hoops for Health

While the bracketologists where left scrambling as number one seeds continue to fall in the NCAA tourney the 2^nd Annual Boys & Girls Clubs site vs. site Hoops 4 Health Championships held form as the top two sites, Pleasantdale Elementary and Washington Elementary vied for victory. It was a rematch of last year’s double overtime semi-final thriller that saw Pleasantdale outlast a game Washington squad and go on to the championship game, where they lost to eventual winners Gregory.   It didn’t take overtime, but in the end Washington won a gripping one-point victory and walked away with the title.  “It was awesome,” exclaimed Washington’s Devin White, a two-time participant in the event.

“The games themselves were really what ‘March Madness’ is all about with respect to basketball,” program director Heath Gertner said.  Each game was exciting and the 10-minute format meant every game was close.  He pointed out, though, that like everything the Club does, there was a bigger goal in mind.  The event was part of the Club’s SMART Moves programming which teaches children that there are fun alternatives to the risky behaviors some of their peers fall prey too. 

“One goal of the program teaches kids to make better choices, stand up to peer pressure and avoid the pitfalls that may lead to undesired results,” SMART Moves Coordinator Tyree Ward stated.   By keeping the kids involved in fun, healthy activities they are making better choices that will only increase their chances of success in whatever they do down the road, Ward concluded.

The B&GC of West Orange’s four elementary school sites (Hazel, Gregory, Washington and Pleasantdale) each played three 10-minute games in a round robin format to determine seedings for the semi-finals.  Washington upended Gregory while Pleasantdale got the better of Hazel.   

2009 West Orange Boys & Girls Club Hosts Charity Event

 

The West Orange Boys & Girls Club’s Keystone Club hosted a Game Night at the Toby Katz Center on Friday, March 12^th. 100% of the proceeds from Game Night will be supporting Hands on the World Global Inc., a charity which provides children in Africa, India, Haiti and even parts of America with clean drinking water.

 

The Keystone Club is comprised of six young ladies from West Orange High School. The president of the Keystone Club, Quiara Watson-Harris, who was recently nominated by the West Orange Boys & Girls Club as Youth of the Year was asked what her goal was tonight. “We want to make more children and families aware of the dire situations others are living in. Tonight we hope to raise money for a charity we truly believe in while bringing our community together.”

 

Despite the rain many children enjoyed the Game Night festivities and the event was a success. The event raised $150.00 and we are still accepting donations. The children played Wii, bingo and made sand art bracelets and bottles to take home with them. They also enjoyed pizza, chips and dessert. Quiya Harris stated” I loved everything, it was so much fun.”  Selam Woldai said she loved playing bingo. She couldn’t wait to go home and play with her new jump rope that she won.

 

This was the first event run by the Keystone Club. They are also planning a Proceeds Night at Friday’s in West Orange on April 19^th and a town picnic on May 15^th to support Hand on the World Global Inc.

 

If you would like to help this charity please contact Rebecca Giacopelli at  rgiacopelli@woboe.org.

2009 Karate Formal Testing

This is the Issin-Ryu way and it was on full display Sunday at the West Orange Community House and Boys & Girls Club as 23 children and adults participated in the Club’s karate program’s formal testing.   “It was awesome!” exclaimed Dave Torres, a 4^th grader from Washington Elementary School.  “I had two separate things in a row, church and karate, and it was really exciting,” he enthusiastically added. The form of martial arts learned at the Club traces its origins to the tiny island of Okinawa.  It is there that Tatsuo Shimabuku combined the styles of Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu as a combat technique to use against invading Japanese military.  He called this combination Issin-Ryu.   

The Sunday program put the students’ knowledge of the art to the test in front of not just the class and instructors but in front of a bevy of onlookers as well.  “Each student will readily tell you that they are tested every day in class, but the formal testing (Sunday) gave family and friends an opportunity to share the experience,” Club Program Director Heath Gertner stated.   This fun twist to the class did add to the pressure the students faced as they showcased their knowledge, and each was up to the challenge.

Washington School 5^th grader Dyronda Vickers was beaming afterwards as she said she enjoyed the whole experience.  “It was fun!  We worked out and got to go over our (techniques) . . . and having our families thereto watch us made it even more special.”  Vickers is also part of something else that helps make the karate program a uniquely Boys & Girls Club program.  That is family.  Her brother and mother also participate, and they are not the only parent-child combination.  There are two mother-son combinations and one father-son pairing that adds to the overall experience of the program.  “It is enjoyable and also rewarding to not only learn karate but to be learning and bonding with my son in a mutual endeavor,” said Richard Kurdek Sr.

Richard Kurdek Jr. agrees, “I feel very great to be able to spend more time with my dad,” gushed the 4^th grader from Verona’s F.N. Brown Elementary School.

Gertner feels the entirety of the program has the appearance of one big family as well.  The group, kids and parents alike, sustain each other both inside and outside of the classes.  “We are very lucky to have such a supportive group and it is one of the big reasons this program is so successful,” he said. Another aspect that makes it so successful is the youth understand they are in this to learn and grow and are not overly concerned with rank. It is extremely impressive for a child to not just be aware of the importance of learning but to also have the desire to learn the art instead of dwelling on what color belt they may have.  The youth are well aware that they will not be receiving a black belt anytime soon.  In fact, they will not receive that honor until they are at least 16-years of age, no matter how long they have been training.  Then why do it?  As 5^th grader Elian Rodriquez matter-of-factly states, “It (the belt) doesn’t matter.  I do it to be better disciplined and have fun . . . I just love it!”

Thanksgiving 2009

Football, food, and fun are all associated with Thanksgiving Day and all three aspects were found recently at the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange. Football was tackled as former NFL wide receiver and kick returner Lonnie Allgood added extra flavor to the Club’s Washington School site’s 3^rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Feast.  Allgood began his career in 1977 and spent time with

the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.  “It was cool because we met a famous person and extra special since he took time out during a busy time to share with us,” 3^rd-grader Trinity Williams said.  Fellow 3^rd-grader Kae’von Nurri-Deen agreed, “I never met a real football player before and it was exciting.”

Allgood, founder and CEO of Dreams for Kids, Inc., spent time talking to the kids about more than just his playing days, he focused his discussion on helping the children realize they have a choice to be productive members of society and reach their goals.  As a former professional athlete Allgood realizes he is in a unique position to influence youth and does not take the responsibility for granted.  “Knowing that kids respond to athletes it’s important to me to continue to be a positive role model and let them know that they can reach their dreams,” he said. 

Food was delivered by the overwhelming support of Club’s parents.  They brought, baked, and cooked a full holiday menu complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cake, cookies and pie.  “We had near 100% parent participation which gave us and the children another example of why we are celebrating this ‘Day of Thanks,’” said site counselor Flora Lopez, who, along with Gloria Williams, Ja Nelle Rhodes and Rhonda Harris organized the festivities on the staff side.  “Gloria, Ja Nelle, Rhonda and Flora put a lot of effort into organizing the event and it paid off … and the rest of the staff, Angelina, Rebecca, Olivia and Amir really did a fantastic job assisting the ladies to give them the help they needed … it was a complete work of art,” Program Director Heath Gertner said.   Fun was handled by the staff.  “The staff did more than just set the table, they provided a great day for the kids full of fun,” Gertner stated.  By the time the kids had finished eating and playing all that was left was full stomachs and fantastic memories.  5^th- grader Devin White summed it up best, “I had a great time … everything was cool.”   

2nd Annual Site vs. Site Olympics Oct. 2009

The Boys & Girls Club of West Orange recently held their 2^nd Annual Olympic Day pitting their after school sites against each other in a battle for Olympic glory.  The Club’s Pleasantdale, Hazel and Gregory sites where looking to dethrone last year’s overall champions from Washington School. The Olympic day consisted of events developed to test our young athletes.  Endurance was tested in the mile run, speed was measured in the sprints, accuracy examined with ball archery, and even cognitive skills in a contest of board games.  Other events included the broad jump, basketball, the home run derby, dance and the football throw.

Entering the day the Washington School site knew it would be difficult to repeat as their top athletic talent was sick and unable to compete.   Nowhere was his presence missed more than in the running events, where he is a dominant force.  However, Brandon Ferguson surprised many as a late addition to the running events by scoring a silver medal in the sprints and a bronze in the mile run.  These points would prove important as the Gregory School site was winning golds.  Three points were awarded for gold medals, two for silver, and one point for bronze.   Each site fought hard, making this competition much closer than last year.  Gregory’s site won the most gold medals with five, with Washington second with three gold medals.  However, the Washington site had a player earn a silver and/or a bronze in each event, powering the team to the overall title for the second straight year.

“It was incredibly competitive this year,” Program Director Heath Gertner stated.  “When Washington first thought they’d be down their top person they could have folded, but we talked to them about making some changes in who was competing in which events and that they’d have to think in terms of the team in order to win … and that every point did count really brought home that teamwork message.”  The final standings of the 2^nd Annual Olympics Day where Washington in first place, Gregory in second place, and Hazel and Pleasantdale tied for third.

Halloween Party a Blast

The Boys & Girls Club of West Orange’s Parents’ Activities Committee (PAC) hosted their 3^rd Annual Halloween Party October 30^th at the West Orange Community House.  The PAC has run this event as a way of providing a safe, family-friendly atmosphere for the Community.

 

“With so much craziness always surrounding the holiday, they (the PAC) have been able to offer this party as a much needed safe alternative for the youth in the town,” Program Director Heath Gertner said.  

 

They also use the party as a small fundraiser that helps raise money that the Parents’ Committee can use for future projects.  One of the things that helps make this a success is the generosity of those involved in the program and others who have a desire to help the town’s children.

 

“We can always rely on (Club) board members like Rob Parisi and Teddy Kinsella, etc., to chip in but we are very fortunate to also have a growing number of people like Sal Anderton and Beverly Meaux who see the importance of what we are doing and readily assist us with what we do,” Gertner stated. 

 

In addition to the usual candy and fun local musicians Bloom made an appearance as well.  The all-girl group, made up of West Orange’s Tyree and Kyra Marshall and Autumn Turner, who hails from Montclair, came down and performed a few songs

Boys & Girls Club Run-a-Thon

They ran for their health, they ran for the fun of it, and they ran to make a point.  On September 24^th 2009 the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange’s after school sites held their first “Run Drugs Out Of Town Run-a-Thon” as part of the Club’s SMART Moves programming.  “SMART Moves is a national prevention program run through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America that is designed to assist our youth in becoming healthy, competent citizens and leaders by teaching them to avoid threats to their well-being like alcohol, tobacco and drugs,” Tyree Ward, administrator of the West Orange Boys & Girls Club’s SMART Moves program said. 

“It was fun!” Washington Elementary School 5^th-grader Devin White said, continuing “it was great to work as a team for a cause like being healthy and staying away from drugs.” 

The Club directs after school programs at Hazel, Washington, Pleasantdale and Gregory Elementary Schools.  Each site had 20 of their children run, walk and jog for thirty minutes while wearing pedometers to measure their overall steps.   This was important because before the “Run” the youth had people sponsor them based on this steps measurement. 

“It was great to see the involvement of the kids, staff and parents for this event which combined many meaningful aspects for the healthy growth of our children,” Program Director John Peterson stated.  The youth were able to incorporate the ideas of exercise and working for a cause with positive outcomes for their efforts.    Through their sponsorships the children were also able to raise just ove $300 that will be used to support programs like SMART Moves and others that teach children about healthy habits and lifestyles. 

With the school year about to begin the thoughts of many parents now turn to the question of what to do with their children after the school day is done.  For many of West Orange’s youth that answer has been found in after school programs run by the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange. Maurice Williams is one such student, and he is eagerly awaiting his returning to the Club’s Washington School site.  “I have a good time at after school,” the soon to be starting 4^th-grader exclaimed, “I get to meet new people every year and after I do my homework I get to play games like Connect 4 and Monopoly or play sports in the gym.”  His mother, Patrice Williams agrees.  “I’m happy with the program the Boys & Girls Club runs.  I know he’s with people who care, he’s safe, and he has fun.”

The Boys & Girls Club operates sites in four of the town’s elementary schools – Washington, Hazel, Gregory and Pleasantdale.  The Club also runs enrichment programs at Edison Central 6 and Liberty Middle School.  “The Club has been working with the schools in town for over a decade and provide a safe, nurturing environment for positive instruction and growth… it’s a place where a kid can just be a kid,” Club Development Director Armstead Johnson said. 

“We run programs that fit into five core areas as outlined by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA),” Program Director John Peterson stated.  According to the BGCA these core areas are character and leadership, health and life skills, education and career development, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.  The sites also have competitions matching one against the other in contests like basketball, soccer, and Olympics Day.

Registration for this upcoming school year began yesterday, August 19.  The next registration day is Wednesday, August 26, from 12:00 – 7:00pm.  For more information on the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange please call 973-736-1282 extension 19 or go online to www.bgcwo.org.    

Meanwhile, as the bell sounds and the new school year gets under way you can be sure that the people in the Club after 6:00pm now aren’t late for anything.

June 15th 2009 The Boys & Girls Club of West Orange "Awards Dinner" A Major Success

Boys & Girls Club Awards Dinner a Hit

The Boys & Girls Club of West Orange (BGCWO) recently held its first Awards Dinner to celebrate those people that made a significant impact on the Club this year.  The banquet was sponsored by the organization’s Parents’ Activities Committee (PAC) and was held at the West Orange Elks Lodge 1590.  Among those honored were Marie DeMaio, Principal at Washington Elementary School, and Councilmen Rob Parisi and Sal Anderton, both of whom attended the Club prior to the Boys & Girls Club becoming incorporated into the West Orange Community House.  The PAC honored West Orange resident Jim Fotinopoulos as one of the Volunteers of the Year.  Joining him where Tony LaFerrara and Linda Knoll, and BGCWO program director Heath Gertner received an honor as well.

“Being honored along with Marie DeMaio, my second grade teacher, was incredibly meaningful to me personally – sharing the stage with her and the other honorees made me feel proud that I am still contributing to my neighborhood and that I am not alone in my concern for the children of our community,” Anderton stated.  He was awarded with the Friend of the Club Award for his work with organization this year.  

The loudest applause of the evening came when Principal DeMaio received the Community Education Leadership Award.  “It was great to see how much of a positive impact she has had as almost all guests, from parents, teachers, and other honorees had a connection with Ms. DeMaio … and that two of her former students (Anderton and Parisi) are both leaders in the community and also honorees is a testament to her and West Orange,” Club program director Gertner said.  The PAC, made up of parents with children in both Washington School and Redwood Elementary, honored her for her work in helping to secure the Boys & Girls Club largest after school site.  “It meant a great deal to me that the Club was appreciative of all my efforts on behalf of the kids of West Orange,” DeMaio said.

Parisi was given the award as the Club’s board member of the year.  A member of the Club’s Board for over a decade, The PAC honored him because he stood out this year not just for his duties as a board member but for also willingly committing himself to participating in events and for taking an active role in assisting Club member Alex Hyppolite receive a scholarship to attend a prestigious Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

Volunteers of the year were Jim Fotinopoulos, Tony LaFerrara and Linda Knoll.   “Volunteers can make some of the greatest impacts on our youth’s lives, and these three are no exception.   Their dedication to the kids is unmatched,” said Shamara Gonzalez, whose son Shamik participates in the class.  All three have been volunteering time to teach the karate style called Ishin ryu for two years. 

The evening ended with the Parents’ Activities Committee surprising Gertner with the Visionary/Community Leadership Award.    “The PAC felt Heath (Heath) earned and deserved this honor for his hard work and truly dedicated spirit toward all the youth of West Orange.  Heath works many tiring and long days and nights brainstorming new ideas to help promote new projects for the youth and the PAC truly appreciates that,” PAC parent Kim White stated.

August 27th 2009 Club Honors Those Who Make Difference for Kids

Dreams Come True at the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange

West Orange High School senior Mardochee Louis has a dream.  But while many of his peers have visions of being the next LeBron James or blowing up the charts as the latest P. Diddy Making the Band crew, his is much more ordinary.  Louis is headed to college.Helping to defray some of the costs of college will be the $3,125 award he received from the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Jersey’s Fund-A-Dream Project.  Louis, a member of the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange for the past three years was the first high school youth brought into the Club’s evening programming.  “Mardochee’s a great kid…a good student and positive role model deserving of whatever support we can give,” program director Heath Gertner stated.  Louis will be attending Rutgers University – Newark next year and will be majoring in accounting.

Money for the Fund-A-Dream Project is raised during October’s “Concert for Kids” held at NJPAC.  Artists from Kenny Rodgers to the Chaka Khan to Jersey’s own Kool & the Gang have performed during the six years the event has taken place.  This past year the program raised more than $450,000 on behalf of the 120,000 youth served by Clubs throughout the state. 

The Project’s goal is to assist in cultivating and supporting a youth’s interest, whether it is as grand as attending Julliard or as simple as wanting to learn how to swim.  “The Club has helped make me a better man and I’m honored to be the recipient of the (Fund-A-Dream) award.  I’m thankful to my coach (Heath Gertner) and my teammates and just happy to have been a part of this experience” Louis said.

NAACP Vice President of Education for Orange and Maplewood Tom Puryear recently paid a visit to the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange Washington School site. 

There to continue educating the children on Black History, his message to the children reached beyond past moments and looked ahead to what they need to do to succeed in the future.

The children were given cards emblazoned with African-Americans of note, like inventor Garrett Morgan and politician Mervyn Dymally.  Mr. Puryear then had the children read from the cards and spoke about what made these historical figures successful. 

“Mr. Puryear demonstrated to the kids not just why these people are important but what they did to achieve their goals . . . the common characteristics that made them all successful then can do the same for anyone today,” program director Heath Gertner said.

Mr. Puryear stressed that their hard work, determination and willingness to continue in spite of the many obstacles presented to them led to their great achievements, not just for themselves, not just for African-Americans, but for all Americans.  

Boys & Girls Club Jump On Board the Jersey Express

 

Curtis Blow rapped it best when he was rapping “Basketball.”  And on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 the beat was loud and clear Live! From the Community House in beautiful downtown West Orange when the ABA’s Jersey Express tipped-off its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.

West Orange luminaries such as Councilman Sal Anderton, Jerry Huegel, John Schmidt and Gwen Franklin, to name but a few, were in attendance for the broadcast and meet and greet before the Express began their run for ABA dominance.

“This is a great joint venture with a professional organization that sees and believes in the direction the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange is heading . . . and they are doing what they can to assist us with our efforts to heighten awareness and renovate the building adjacent to the Club on 242 Main Street and make it the premier recreational facility for our town,” Program Director Heath Gertner stated.

Coached by Jerry “Ice” Reynolds, a number one draft choice of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks back in 1985, the Express will assist the Club by offering a percentage of each ticket bought through the Boys & Girls Club back.  Other opportunities to work together are endless, and could include basketball clinics and like events with the team.

After the announcement the players signed autographs and participated in variety of basketball activities with the children.  This was highlighted with a four-on-four game pitting members of the Express against members of the Club’s evening basketball program.

The Jersey Express play its home games on the campus of Drew University, located in Madison, NJ and tickets are only $10 each.

Local Author Visits Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club of West Orange’s Washington School site was treated to local author Nancy Thelot Friday, March 27.  Ms. Thelot visited the Club’s reading program with her book “The Child Who Wished to be a Grown Up.” Ms. Thelot began the day reading to the children and then had volunteers from the group take over to finish the short story.  She then spent time answering questions, telling the children that “they can accomplish anything in life and that nothing can hold them back.” 

The Club’s Friday Reading Program targets their Kindergarten through Second graders by allowing them to listen to readings, experience through acting out some passages and by reading stories themselves.Like Tom Hanks in “Big” Ms. Thelot’s main character in “The Child Who Wished to be a Grown Up” ends with the realization – I want to enjoy being a kid.  Her book is available on Amazon.com and at the House of Africa, located in East Orange. 

Royalty Reads to Boys & Girls Club Kids

 

On Friday, November 14 fairy tale met reality as New Jersey’s own royalty stepped out of the pages of make-believe to read to the children of the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange’s Washington School site.  Reigning Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008 Sherryl Pascal stopped by to the delight of the children and spent time reading and answering questions of the 25 Kindergarten through 2^nd graders in attendance for the Club’s Friday reading program. 

“This was a great and exciting reward for the kids and reinforces the positive outcomes we stress and expect from our reading program,” kindergarten counselor Rhonda Harris said.

The Club’s Friday reading program includes kindergarten through2nd graders reading everything from “Three Billy Goats Gruff” to “Staurt Little” to “Cinderella” and often includes the children performing segments of the stories. “The kids really look forward to (the program) all week long and often bring their own books they want to share,” stated first grade counselor Gloria Williams.

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Washington Elementary School - Ties that Bind

 

“One man may hit the mark, another may blunder; but heed not these distinctions.  Only from the alliance of the one, working with and through the other, are great things born.” 

 

Saint-Exupery

 

So it was at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year that Washington Elementary stepped up, working with the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange, and provided quality after school programming, not just for its own students but for those throughout West Orange.

 

The Club also has programs at Hazel, Pleasantdale, and Gregory Schools, but up until this year the Club's largest after school program was found at the West Orange Community House.  Children from Washington, Redwood, Mt. Pleasant, and Edison Schools all call the program home.  With the growth of the Community House's preschool the after school program was left to find a new home. 

 

Historically, schools only provide services for their own students.  "When you have kids coming from three or four different places because you provide great after school programs at affordable prices and have to find residence in someone else's school, you're not usually going to have their doors open, but Principal (Marie) DeMaio and Washington School came through for the entire West Orange Community," Boys & Girls Club Program Director Heath Gertner said.   

 

As Saint-Exupery said, there were some hits and misses, but in the end, Washington School reminded us why they have continued to provide over one hundred years of excellence to the city of West Orange.  Working with the Boys & Girls Club after school programming continued as children enjoyed everything from art & crafts to sports, from service groups like the Torch Club to hip-hop dance, all included at no additional charge.

 

“Having (Washington) school open to the kids from all over the town was great because it gave them a chance to create new friendships that they might not ordinarily have,” parent Gloria Willaims said.

 

 

Boys & Girls Club Visits Canterbury Village

 

Youth from the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange continue to demonstrate that the Club’s after school programming is about more than just doing homework – it’s about personal growth.  This growth was evident Friday, May 3 as the B&GC’s Torch Club visited residents at Canterbury Village, a senior facility located across the street from the town's library, and played a variety of games with the seniors.

Nikkel Simpson, Katherine Spellman, Tiffany White, Musatah Matthews, Jalisa Delauny, and Nadilyah Stewart spent the evening playing Connect Four, Checkers, and the group favorite, BINGO.  The Club members used the game time to speak and interact with the residents.  The Torch Club has been making visits since last school year, when it adopted Canterbury Village, ensuring that future Club members would continue to work closely with the facility.

 The Torch Club is a leadership group made up of 5^th and 6^th graders who create many activities for both the Boys & Girls Club and the West Orange Community.  They have been active in the Club in such ways as assisting with parties and creating a reading program with the younger Club members.

March Madness comes to the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange by way of Scrabble

 

Jasmyn Lettman of Pleasantdale Elementary School triple-word scored her way to the Boys & Girls Club of West Orange’s First Scrabble Championship over runner-ups Shannon Davis from Gregory and Nathaniel Ferguson of Washington Street School, this tourney’s version of George Mason University.  Ferguson received an at-large bid when one of his site’s original top four was unable to participate.

 

This was the Club’s first inter-site Scrabble Tournament.  The two-day extravaganza pitted its After School Programs at Hazel Elementary, Gregory Elementary, Pleasentdale Elementary and Washington Street School against each other in a titanic battle of third to fifth grade wordsmiths Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 and 26.

 

Each site ran preliminaries on Tuesday to spell out their top four Scrabble youth.  These 16 children then faced off Wednesday at the Washington Street School site in the Boys & Girls Club’s Scrabble Sweet Sixteen.   

 

Four games were set up as one tourney representative from each site vied for a chance to move into the final four.  The power conference appeared to be the youth from Pleasantdale who placed two representatives at the final table.  The top three players each received a gift card and certificate in recognition of their tournament Scrabble skill.

 

 
Local Author Visits Boys & Girls Club