When you ask Aiyanna what she loves most about the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, her answer is simple: “The staff really care and make every kid feel seen.” Now an 8th grader at Guilmette Middle School, Aiyanna has been part of the Club for the past few years, and during that time she has grown into a confident leader, performer, and role model for younger members.
A Place Where Kids Feel Seen
For Aiyanna, what makes BGCL different is the way staff consistently show up for young people in the ways they need most—academically, socially, and emotionally. She has visited other Boys & Girls Clubs before, but she says this one stands out because kids aren’t overlooked or treated as just another face in the crowd. Instead, they are noticed, encouraged, and supported as individuals. That sense of care is what makes the Club feel welcoming and “homey,” especially for youth who may not always have that kind of steady support elsewhere.
The Club also gives Aiyanna something she values deeply: structure and opportunity. Rather than going straight home and sitting in front of a screen, she chooses to spend her afternoons staying productive—whether that means getting homework help, practicing music, playing sports, or volunteering at events. “When you come to the Boys & Girls Club,” she explains, “there’s always an opportunity to do something productive,” and that consistency has helped her grow in ways she didn’t always expect.
The Music Room: Where She Feels Most Like Herself
If there’s one place where Aiyanna feels completely comfortable, it’s the Music Room. “Since I started talking, I was singing,” she says, sharing that music has always been part of who she is. At the Club, she takes voice lessons, explores new instruments, and performs as the lead singer in the Club band. Performing allows her to build confidence while doing something she genuinely loves.
A Performer On and Off the Stage
Her passion for the stage extends beyond the Club walls as well. Aiyanna has participated in more than 15 school theater performances, earning significant roles through her talent and dedication. Last year, she played Cinderella in Cinderella Jr., and this year she is starring as JoJo in Seussical the Musical—a character whose imagination helps her find courage and ultimately save her town. Through theater, she has learned discipline, preparation, and the ability to step into big moments with confidence.
Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone Through Basketball
The Club has also encouraged Aiyanna to try something new. Basketball became one of those opportunities—something she may not have pursued elsewhere. At BGCL, she found an environment where everyone is welcomed, included, and supported regardless of experience level.
“They’ll accept you even if you’ve never touched a basketball in your life,” she says. Coaches and staff take the time to teach skills while building teamwork and resilience, creating a space where effort matters just as much as talent. That sense of inclusion gave Aiyanna the confidence to step onto the court and challenge herself in new ways.
Leadership Through Torch Club
As a member of Torch Club, BGCL’s leadership program for middle school youth, Aiyanna has taken on meaningful responsibilities that have shaped her character. Torch members volunteer regularly, assist at events, coordinate community service projects, and help keep the Club welcoming for everyone who walks through the doors. Aiyanna embraces those responsibilities, whether she is cleaning the Teen Center, helping with event set-up and clean-up, or supporting younger members.
One especially meaningful moment came at the Club’s Christmas Party, when Aiyanna led the prayer in front of families, staff, and volunteers. Because faith is an important part of her life, having the opportunity to share that publicly meant a great deal to her. Through Torch Club, she has learned that leadership is not about recognition—it’s about service, responsibility, and stepping up when others need support.
“It can definitely make somebody a better person by showing them the value of helping others,” she says.
For Aiyanna, that lesson goes beyond meetings and service hours; it has become part of who she is becoming.
A Bright Future Ahead
Aiyanna’s story reflects what happens when young people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to explore their interests. Through music, theater, sports, and leadership opportunities, she is building skills that extend far beyond the Club walls—confidence, responsibility, resilience, and compassion. Each experience strengthens not only her talents, but her sense of purpose.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, we believe every child deserves opportunities that help them discover who they are and who they can become. Aiyanna is a shining example of that mission in action, and we are proud to watch her continue to grow, lead, and find her voice. Her future is bright, and we can’t wait to see where her confidence and determination will take her next.