Marr-lin Swim Team Prepping for Regional Championship Meet
After competing in the N.E.N.E.A.P.C. League Championship Meet and earning a 4th place finish the members of the Marr-lin Swim Team will now participate in invitational meets leading up to the Regional Championship Meet. On 3/4 the team will host it’s Annual Beanpool Meet followed by the Northeast vs. Southeast Meet on 3/17 in Worcester. The team will then hit the road, heading to Union, NJ to take part in the Regional Swim Championships on 3/24 & 3/25. Our team will be joined by other Boys and Girls Clubs and U.S.S. swim teams taking part in the 2-day meet. The Marr-lins will return home on that Sunday. The meet will feature some of the top swimmers in the area and should prove a strong test of how much the members of the team have improved since practices began back in September. After the regional meet, a select group of swimmers posting the necessary qualifying times, and meeting the required attendance/sportsmanship criteria, will represent their teammates at the National Championship Meet in St. Petersburg, FL in early April. Immediately after, look for the start of the 6-team Intramural Swim League, which combines experienced swimmers from the Marr-lins with new swimmers and graduates of the Swim Lesson program. Registration will kick-off in early April for swimmers ages 6 to 18 with try-outs (50 yd. swim) held for new swimmers. Once the teams have been assembled practices will be held one evening a week with meets taking place on Saturday afternoons. For more information contact Aquatic Director, Aquiles Gomes at ext. 2220.
Youth of the Year Program
Each year, in the month of January, staff members nominate outstanding club members to be considered for the Youth of the Year program, the highest award within the Club. This year, after much debate, the following members were nominated: Aisling Kerr, Melanie Barros, Marissa Sneed, Jake Mastrogiacomo, Sean O’Donnell, Bernard Barbosa and David Barry. Each of these finalists will now submit an essay and letter of recommendation to a panel of judges prior to their interview in early March. The member selected to serve as our Youth of the Year will then submit an application of essays, background history and letters of recommendation to Boys and Girls Clubs of America and be invited to take part in the statewide interviews scheduled for May in Fall River. In addition, all of the Finalists will be recognized at the Club’s Annual Member Recognition Night Dinner in June. We congratulate these seven outstanding members on their participation, leadership, community service and selection as a Youth of the Year Finalist.
Walter Denney Youth Center to Celebrate Anniversary
On Thursday, March 15th we will be celebrating our 9-year Anniversary of providing programs at our Walter Denney Clubhouse located in the Harbor Point section of Dorchester. Club members and their parents are invited to stop by the Center to take part in a variety of family activities. There will be food, games, tours and more. This will also be a great time for residents of the Harbor Point community to renew their membership at the Center which will be free of charge on this day. In addition to the Anniversary Celebration other ongoing activities at the Center include the U-Mass Tutoring program, Kids Café, Torch Club, Philosophy Club, Creative Writing, Keystone Club, Swim Lessons, Friday Field Trips, McCormack Gym, Art Classes and more. For information on activities at our Walter Denney Clubhouse please contact Unit Director, Queenette Santos at ext. 3120.
All-Star Basketball Program
Our four All-Star Basketball teams are in mid-season form, all hoping to gain a berth in the play-off tournament. The 12&U Boys stand at 4-3 with a recent victory over the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston. Leading the way on offense was De’Andre Dew-Hollis (18). The Girls 14&U squad fell to 1-5 on the season after losing to last year’s championships from the Jordan Boys and Girls Club of Chelsea 40-14. Jasmine Castro (5) led a balanced scoring attack. Our 15&U Boys jumped to 2-3 after Terrell David (20) helped lead them to a 54-40 win over the Salem, NH Boys and Girls Club. Lastly, our Boys 18&U team fell to 4-2 after losing a close one to the Salem, MA Boys and Girls Club 71-69. Leading the way was Christopher Shelton (35). For information on the Winter Basketball program please contact Athletic Director, Bruce Seals at 617-288-7120, ext. 2210.
