Esme has been a Club member since she was 6 years old. Her mom started working at the Club as a staff member at the same time and I did not want to be away from her. Esme started to make some friends right away and that made her happy to be a member here at Club. When she started here, it gave her the courage to do more things around other members and staff, mostly because they encouraged her to do so. She was inspired to do her homework but most importantly, being reassured by someone who wasn't a part of her family was good because not only did she make herself proud but also get the opportunity to make them be proud of her. When she was about 7 or 8 she started helping out the staff if they needed it, such as putting cubbies away, cleaning rooms, and helping out in the Club store. She wouldn't get anything in return but that was ok with her because that is what she like doing; be helpful in any way she can.

Esme stated "One of my favorite rooms in the Club is the Art Room.  Our art room isn’t just used for just art but different programs, board games, and homework hour (which we call power hour), too.   I get to go in there and work on art projects, build projects with friends, and do homework Monday through Wednesday, school days. I have continued to attend Power Hour for the past 7 years to make sure I get all my schoolwork done. Additionally, throughout I will be discussing some extracurricular activities that I have attended and continue to attend as I continue to come to Club."

Some of the extracurricular activities she's participated in  STEM, Power Hour, NASA (aquaponics), Hands on Banking, SPARK, Healthy Habits, Draw the Line Respect the Line, Money Matters, Conflict Management and Career Launch. She's done all of these Club programs. She was given the opportunity to do Career Launch when she was in the 5th grade because of the my participation in all the other programs. Esme stated "I have done an awesome job in participating, answering questions, and internalizing information that is beneficial to me. I have also helped the staff when in need of an example. Moreover, all of these programs have helped me grow mentally and physically, they have made me become more creative, intelligent, and be better at decision making. Having participated in all these programs has definitely helped me to get a idea of what I want to be when I grow up. The programs have taught me so much that the information provided to us has opened up some opportunities for me."

Esme says she plans to continue coming to the Club to become a peer leader, to be a positive influence in other youths' lives and to be helpful to all the staff. The Club has helped her a lot and she can not thank enough for all the programs provided, staff involvement, and the opportunities given to them.