Two decades ago, former Hopkinsville Mayor Wally Bryan and John Miller scheduled a two-hour conversation — hoping to share a vision, and bring a Boys & Girls Club to the kids of Christian County.
A couple of hours became six, and six became 20 years later — when, on Wednesday afternoon, hundreds gathered for the annual Great Future’s Luncheon inside what is now Tom & Wanda Wade Family Gymnasium, thanks to the contributions of Hopkinsville basketball great Tommy Wade.
Club Board Chair Cody Noffsinger noted the only Christian Countian who could dream bigger than Bryan was the late legendary savant and clairvoyant Edgar Cayce — perhaps equals in foresight.
The Walnut Street property has served children and their families in some capacity since the 1910’s, and today is “home” for more than 140 students of all ages seeking advice, adventure and advantage under sometimes unfathomably difficult circumstances.
Take, for instance, Wednesday’s emcee Illiana Apolo-Ramirez.
A recent graduate of the Hopkinsville High School and their Gateway Academy, she’s been a club member for 13 years. She just turned 18, and plans to attend Hopkinsville Community College this fall — where she will be her family’s first college graduate, and eventually a nurse.
Payton Nailor, a junior, showcased his talents — crooning a popular tune inspired by Don Quixote and “The Man of La Mancha.”
So moved was he by their efforts, did Boys & Girls Club of America President Jim Clark stand up right then, and announce them immediate winners of four-year scholarships valued at more than $12,000 — no questions asked.
Clark went on to answer two lingering questions.
What makes a successful Boys & Girls Club?
And why is the Boys & Girls Club so pivotal to a community?
At present, Clark said about a third of elementary students read at a fourth-grade level, and about a third of middle schoolers operate at an eighth-grade math level.
Having spent more than 40% of his lifetime associated with the organization, Hopkinsville’s Executive Director Terrence Davis is trying to change that outcome.
Davis said more than 80% of the funding needed for the coming “Tween Center” has arrived, thanks to generous local support.
FULL PRESENTATION:
PHOTO GALLERY by William Battle
PHOTOS – BGC HCC 20th Annual Great Futures Luncheon – WKDZ
