SEQUIM — An award given to an employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula will mean the agency can offer two college scholarships annually.
Luke Kisena, the Teen Room director at the Sequim unit of the agency, is one of 12 employees nationwide to receive a Maytag Dependable Leader Award.
The award includes a $20,000 financial grant for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula to provide college scholarships to club members at both the Sequim and Port Angeles units.
The agency will use the award to provide two $1,500 scholarships for the next five years to graduating high school seniors.
In the past, the agency has provided one scholarship annually.
That went to the Youth of the Year and was for anywhere from $250 to $1,000, depending on what was available in the budget for each fiscal year, said Janet Gray, resource development director.
“We are going to make a bigger impact now,” she said.
Nominated for award
Kisena, who has worked as part of the youth development staff for six years, was nominated for the award by Courtney Garman, fellow youth development staff in the Club’s Teen Room.
The ability to provide a larger scholarship to two club members each year “feels good,” said Kisena, 35, of Sequim.
“I think that I can speak for everybody who works here that we always feel good when we can help kids more,” he said.
The award from Maytag brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognizes Boys & Girls Club personnel who serve as role models, the groups said.
That’s an important part of the job, Kisena said.
“We are trying to prepare them for the future,” he said. “We are trying to raise good kids, no matter what.”
Kisena knew he had been entered into the running, “but it was such a big thing that I didn’t think we had a chance,” he said, adding that he “was thrilled” to win.
“I think it is good exposure for our club and the kids, and pushes me to do bigger and better things as well.”
Kisena said helping the club members succeed is more important to him than the recognition.
“It will help me . . . take my career farther in this organization,” he acknowledged.
“But the fact that we get to help more kids and give out $3,000 per year for scholarships and spread that money around — there is no comparison.
“My personal goals are nothing compared to what their success is to me.”
Eight programs
Kisena is responsible for facilitating eight programs, seven of which are offered nationally by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
One such program, “Paint the Town,” offers club members the opportunity to paint a plethora of murals for small business and local organizations throughout communities.
Paint the Town inspired five club teens to film a documentary depicting the program and Kisena’s passion for painting.
The documentary came in first place at the Sequim Film Festival in 2013 and won the teens $3,000 in scholarships.
Another program Kisena facilitates is “Making Proud Choices,” a club-funded teen pregnancy prevention program that focuses on educating club youths about sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. More than 50 teenagers completed that program this year.
Kisena said he does his best to welcome everyone who attends the center.
“I keep a pretty tight ship as far as bullying and accepting everybody,” he said.
“We average about 45 to 60 kids a day, so it is kind of hard to get around to every single one as much as they would need.
“We all do our best within the building.”
Building connections
Music helps Kisena stay in touch with youth, he said.
“Naturally, I am a hip-hop head, so that is what they listen to anyway,” he said.
“I am really into music, and I feel that is kind of the universal barrier breaker. Everybody likes music, and so it is kind of easy.”
And it is helpful that Kisena is a “kid at heart,” he added.
“I am an artist, and I actually collect toys as well.”
Watching the teens grow up and lead successful lives is the greatest privilege, albeit “bittersweet,” for Kisena, he said.
“There is always a changing of the guard. There is always that transition,” he said.
“Fortunately I have a new group every few years. I am blessed, truly, to be able to do what I do and enjoy what I do.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs agency operates two branches: at 400 W. Fir St. in Sequim and at 2620 S. Francis St. in Port Angeles.
For more information, see www.positiveplaceforkids.net or call 360-683-8095.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
