What do Denzel Washington and Thurston County’s Terrance Gardenhigh have in common? Although they share an uncanny ability to entertain, that’s not it. And despite their rugged good looks, that isn’t it, either. What they share is something infinitely more important when it comes to determining future success: their common roots in the Boys and Girls Club. While Mr. Washington has since flourished into a tree of success, Mr. Gardenhigh is still a seedling.
Terrance is a 7 year-old South Bay Elementary School student that regularly attends the Lacey Boys and Girls Club. He’s been going there most days since he was 5, so if you ask him, he’s an old pro. I put on a reporter’s hat and sat down with Terrance for a few minutes last week to talk with him about his experience with the club. Rumors of pizza were floating around when I arrived, so a few minutes were all I got. Imagine, a 7 year-old boy distracted by pizza.
“I like it and it’s very awesome, but it’s not the best place in the world.” I was waiting for some less-than-desirable juicy detail about this upstanding organization to come spouting from the mouth of this babe. But alas, I would have to wait some more. “Charlie’s Safari would be better.” He rolled his brown eyes with a smirk plastered on his face, knowing how well he was playing this old fiddle.
“They don’t teach me to raise my hand or treat others with respect here.” Again, I anxiously awaited the rest of the story. “They make me do those things, but they don’t teach me since I already knew that stuff.” I should have known. Read more.