Boys & Girls Club SCV names Ari Larson Scholarship winner Marlene Garcia for the 2024 graduating class. Photo credit Boys & Girls Club SCV.

From the Desk of CEO Jan Marholin

Dear Friends of the Club,

We decided to join our July & August newsletters together because of what busy of a summer we had! From field trips, to our annual Kids STEM Day, to gearing back up for school to start, there hasn’t been a dull day!

As our summer programs have been in full effect, we have a theme across the board, “Around the World.” We have been “traveling” country to country learning about different cultures, trying various foods and even exposure to new languages! I remember, I was walking across the gym and I see this group of kids creating their very own pretzel! It was very heartwarming seeing our little ones trying to make the pretzel knot! I guess that week was Germany!

On July 12th, we hosted our annual Kids STEM Day! If you are unfamiliar with that event, we bus up all of our kids from all BGCSCV clubs to the Santa Paula site. It is an afternoon of excitement, activities and adventure. I was so excited to see that for the first time, we had a boat! Thanks to our friends over at United Water Conservation District for allowing our youth to board a boat and feel like a captain, even if they were in the parking lot! Amongst other things, on site we had VCFD fire truck, VCSO SWAT and Bomb Squad, as well as tons of other organizations. See the graphic down below to see all who attended! I would especially like to thank our title sponsors, Gene Haas Foundation, US Bank & The Port of Hueneme! Thank you to the Fillmore Fire Foundation and Fillmore Rotary Club for donating hamburgers and hot dogs and their time barbecuing for everyone! Lastly a thank you to all of my staff, board members & volunteers for coming together for the sake of our youth to create a memorable day for all. This truly was one of our best Kids STEM Day yet!

As summer comes to a close, we make it part of our mission to make sure each member starts school with a new backpack and supplies to begin the new academic school year. With help from donors and supporter like you, you can help us raise funds to keep this program alive. If you wish to support us in this effort please feel free to donate to our Back to School Ask Campaign! You can make checks payable to BGCSCV and mail to PO Box 152. Santa Paula, CA 93061 or visit our website and donate using the link below!

https://bgclubscv.org/how-to-help/support-the-club/donate-now.html
As always, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your consistent support of our club!
Staying cool as a cucumber,

Jan Marholin, CEO

Right before the end of the school year, Fillmore High School hosted their Annual Awards Night! We were excited to award Marlene Garcia with the Ari Larson Scholarship for the 2024 graduating class. Below is Marlene’s essay that won our hearts. Special thank you to Board Member, Scott Beylik for heading this process.

Ari Larson Scholarship Recipient Marlene Garcia essay:

Growing up as the middle child in a family of five, with both parents hailing from Mexico, has given me a unique perspective on life. My mom’s journey as a first-generation college graduate who became a preschool teacher is nothing short of inspiring. Her dedication to education and the profound impact she has on her students have deeply influenced my vocational aspirations. Seeing her commitment to shaping young minds and making a positive difference in their lives has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. Her dedication, compassion, and ability to connect with students have shown me the true value of education and fueled my own desire to become a teacher. I aspire to have the same impact on future generations, just like my mom has had on me. Simultaneously, I have nurtured a deep love for soccer, and my dream of playing the sport I adore at the collegiate level has always burned brightly. The thrill of the game, the camaraderie with teammates, and the drive to constantly improve have fueled my passion for the sport.

Soccer has taught me valuable life lessons such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. I cannot imagine my life without the joy and challenges that soccer brings. Getting recruited to play soccer at Westcliff University has been an incredible blessing. It not only allows me to continue playing the sport I love but also provides an opportunity to pursue a degree in education. This unique combination aligns perfectly with my career goal of becoming a teacher. Attending Westcliff University allows me to pursue my long-term goals effectively. The university’s strong education program ensures that I receive the necessary training and support to become a successful teacher. At the same time, the collegiate-level soccer program provides a competitive environment that pushes me to grow as an athlete. Being able to balance my academic pursuits with my athletic passion is a dream come true.

Since my freshman year at Fillmore High School, I’ve been an integral part of the girls’ varsity soccer team. Over the past four years, I’ve amassed a collection of accolades, including being named twice to the All-CIF Southern Section 1st Team and the VC Stars All-County 1st Team. I was voted as the #1 girls soccer player in Ventura County this year by the VC Star. My offensive skills earned me the Citrus Coast League Offensive MVP, and my academic dedication resulted in 4x Academic All-League honors. In addition to my high school achievements, I’ve proudly represented Southern California at the Far West Championships through the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program showcasing my abilities on a larger stage in Arizona and Utah.

Back in 2012, I started going to the Boys and Girls Club here in Fillmore right after school. Let me tell you, I absolutely loved that place! Every day, I couldn’t wait for that final bell to ring so I could rush over there. There were so many awesome things to do at the club. I mean, we had arts and crafts where I could let my creativity go wild. And those sports games? They had me running around like crazy, but I had a blast. Oh, and the homework help sessions were a lifesaver. They made tackling those tough assignments a whole lot easier. But do you know what really made the club special? The people. The staff and those awesome teen mentors were like superheroes. They were always there to guide me, listen to me, and give me the best advice. They made such a huge impact on me, and I wanted to be just like them.

So, when I got to high school, I joined the mentor club. It was my chance to go back to the place that had given me so much. I wanted to be there for the kids, just like the mentors were there for me. It was like coming full circle, you know? Being a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club was incredible. I got to help kids with their homework, play games with them, and just be a positive influence in their lives. It was like reliving those amazing days I had as a kid, but this time, I had the chance to make a difference. It’s crazy how life works sometimes. The club shaped me into the person I am today, and now I get to help shape others. It’s such a special feeling. Being a part of the mentor club was also another hug factor that influenced my decision to pursue education and become an elementary school teacher.

In 10 years, I envision myself holding a degree in education, having navigated the academic waters without accruing debt, and planting my roots in the vibrant city of San Diego. There, I dream of stepping into the classroom each day, ready to inspire and shape young minds, guiding them through the wonders of learning, one child at a time.