“I’ve worked here more than 13 years. When I first applied for the job, I never knew anything about the Boys & Girls Club,” she said. “I also substitute teach in the Plymouth Schools, so I know a lot of these kids from school too. I’m pursuing an education degree.
“When I first came here, they saw I was pursuing that degree. They had someone in the education room but they saw that I was involved with lots of crafts while I was in 4-H, so they asked if I would run the art program and I’ve done that ever since.”
The time has been a learning process for her and the club.
“When it first opened we were just learning,” said Sue. “I basically had to come up with my own programs. A lot of my input I got from the club, they’d give me ideas I’d give them ideas.”
It’s also been a time of growth for the club.
“When I first got here I was in the education room and then I moved to what is now our computer room and it was very small,” said Sue. “When the older adults moved out we were able to gut this room make me a big room and it’s great because we can do a lot more.”
It’s also been a time of personal growth.
“I’ve learned to be patient,” she said. “You can’t expect an 8 or 9 year old to know what a 20-year-old would. If you enjoy working with kids, it’s been very good.”
Growing up on a farm prepared Sue for the hard work involved while the Club has grown over the years.
“It was a lot of hard work,” she said of growing up on the farm. “We painted fences every summer and all through high school and college I worked at CVS. We had horses we each took care of so it was never boring. I had a very loving home. It was a great childhood.”
Sue is happy that her college degree is almost complete, but it will also bring some sadness.
“Someday when I get my teaching degree I’ll probably leave and I think I’ll have a hard time with that,” she said. “I’ve seen so many of them grow up. I have a feeling I’ll come back and volunteer. The most rewarding part is watching generations grow up, watching those kids grow up and have families.”