Sheri Samson
From left, Boys & Girls Club staff members Kyler Musselman, Tynessa Iacovelli, Jeremy Burell, Brooke Sasser, Kyria Garland and Lyndsey Burell were hard at work last week during a family night honoring outgoing director Lyndsey Burell.
As the bingo and nacho family nights began at the Hawthorne Boys & Girls Club, Director Lyndsey Burell shared a heartfelt goodbye to her staff members, family and friends and the children that were in attendance.
“A year ago, I hosted my first Bingo Night as a newly appointed director. It started a wonderful time of serving this community at The Club and I will miss everyone, but will still be popping in from time-to-time. I believe in the mission of this place and all it accomplishes within our kids and with you, the family members,” Burell shared.
Presented with a floral bouquet and several hugs, Burell publicly introduced the next director as Brooke Sasser, a local resident that grew up in Hawthorne. Sasser has been a working assistant to Burell over many months, showing excellent leadership abilities while assisting every child.
Burell is taking over the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) position at the Mineral County High School. Once a classroom speaker for this program, she will now direct students seeking guidance toward areas of employment and training avenues.
Sasser was already organizing her own insights and ideas by stating, “I am really excited to continue the vision of our club. I will be expanding some areas of interest, known as the Positive Action Program, Smart Moves and Triple Play. I also want to see our local teens involved and develop more volunteer strategies. Stay tuned to all the excitement ahead. The foundation has been laid and I know we can grow from it.”
Sasser is currently enrolled in college classes with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education. Last year she attended the 4-H National Level Convention in Washington D.C., presenting her own public speech, which spoke of social equity involving teens and diversity.
“I gave my speech before the head of the F.B.I. James Comey and I also got to meet Senator Dean Heller, who I spoke my mind to. He knew Hawthorne and our parade, but I challenged him to really get to know the rural towns and what we stand for. After I left, I realized I had so much more to tell him, but I will see him again sometime,” Sasser said with a broad smile.
Sasser, along with the club’s current staff members, are looking forward to creating a betterment of community services and stressed that teaching others the opportunity of volunteerism is needed throughout the county.
Standing short and small, but tall in opinions, Sasser expressed that the opportunities of helping are all around, but the volunteer base needs to be drawn out to help the future of Mineral County. “If I can get the people to step up, we will accomplish so much more than we already have.”
