Three Marion students look to start youth center
Sports reporter
It began as chit-chat between three students in the Marion High School office.
Now, it could become a reality.
MHS seniors Christie Coleman, Mara Prescott, and Brett Billings are working hard to create a place in Marion for teens and young children to have fun. But it has the capability of effecting everyone in Marion in a positive way.
"We're calling it a youth center," Prescott said, "but it can be used by the whole community."
The three students began talking about the fact the youth in town don't have much to do outside of school or work.
First they were tossing around the idea of forming a club, then remembered their neighbors to the southwest — Peabody.
This past year Peabody resident DoeAnne Hague helped organize a youth center for the area youth called The Hub.
It has video games, concessions, pool tables, weekend concerts, wireless Internet, and plays host to different school activities.
The trio in Marion thought it would be a good idea to try and bring something similar to their town. A place where kids can have fun, and possibly play host to different community and school events.
"We are just so fed up with Marion," Coleman said. "It's a great place to live. It's really safe, I like it here — but there is nothing [to do]."
Making a change
For some time now the high school youth have been spending their free time at night hanging out downtown in an open lot between Duckwall's and Suffield's.
Coleman said they have been unfairly judged by some residents.
"Adults kind of look at us like we're just a bunch of trouble makers. They hate it when we hang out on Main Street," she said. "But they don't realize unless we have a basketball game to go to, we have nothing. We just want a positive place for kids to go."
The three are obviously frustrated with the options for youth, but instead of whining about it, they are out trying to make a change.
Their first public appearance was an April Marion-Florence USD 408 school board meeting. They returned in May with more ideas, information, and a slide show.
They also have met with Marion Advancement Campaign (MAC), and Marion Chamber of Commerce.
MAC chairman Mike Powers said if the students came to the group with a business plan or agenda, he doesn't see why they couldn't help.
"We are trying to figure out how we as adults and an organization could help them within the law."
It's possible, Powers said, the group could function under the non-profit umbrella of MAC.
"We're just trying to figure out what we can and can't do [for them]," he said.
More help has come from MHS construction technology teacher Lucas King who has provided plans for an update to their future site.
Consumer science teacher and Brett's mother, Mryta Billings, has agreed to help with interior design.
Art teacher Jim Versch and shop teacher Roger Schwab have offered to help as well.
They also have gotten MHS principal Ken Arnhold, USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker, and many others involved in the process.
Arnhold said though if the students weren't working so hard to make this happen, the volunteer help wouldn't have come so easily.
"They are really the ones who are knocking things out to get it done," Arnhold said.
The daily meetings, planning, and research have all been on top of their regular summer jobs.
Billings, who Prescott and Coleman call the business manager, has been out of town the past few weeks and is now at Boys' State in Manhattan.
Even though the group has been split up recently, it hasn't stopped them from trading e-mails about their next step — a home for their idea.
Finding a home
As of now they are hoping to land a building on Main Street. The building on 329 E Main, formerly Brenda's Bloomers and Gifts, is for sale and could be a possibility.
Although the project is eligible for grants (which is a big reason The Hub is able to stay afloat), it won't be until a location is secured.
The problem is, as for most high school students, they don't have the money to buy a building.
MAC said it could help financially, but the students realize it's too much to ask to buy the building.
Still, they aren't giving up on the desired location.
"We're doing all we can, but they want us to do more," Prescott said. "We are, but they haven't seen anything yet."
That's because most of the work has been behind the scenes checking on utilities, going to meetings, and talking to Hague.
"She is very supportive and making sure we have everything we need," Prescott said of Hague, "and if we don't she will do whatever she can to make sure we have it."
Hague said she would love to see the idea succeed in Marion, but knows it takes a lot of work.
"I am really excited and I will certainly help them," she said.
She also said it takes a lot of work from the community for something like this to succeed.
"Peabody has been great," she said of the support for The Hub. "The community has to step up and say we want this for our kids, but still realize the bills have to be paid."
Hague said grants, volunteer work, and donations from churches and city businesses, along with the youths' hard work is what keeps it going.
"I really think Marion can support this," she said.
'The sky is the limit'
Even though their tireless efforts have not resulted in a building, the three students aren't giving in just yet. They also know there are plenty of people still willing to help them reach their goals.
"There are a lot of generous people," Coleman said. "Some have come up and said, 'Whatever you need, just ask,'" she said.
Even though they are planning on raising some of the start-up money on their own, they realize donations are what will put them over the top.
And once the money is there, and a building is in place, it will take some work to keep it running.
Although they won't be making money on the center, they will have to watch the cost of overhead, and still try and bring in some cash flow.
That means maybe only charging 50 cents for a pop while hanging out, or just a few dollars per person to come see a local band perform.
"They will need to keep it economical," Arnhold said.
Arnhold thinks the center could be used for more than just a place to hang out, such as baby-sitting during winter break, gift-wrapping for downtown shoppers, and block parties.
All events will be supervised.
"The sky is the limit," he said.
Almost there
Before the students are able to reach their final goals, they must jump through all the required hoops.
They are finding it's hard work, but aren't backing down.
"It just give us more determination to get it done," Prescott said.
The students believe if through donations and fund-raisers they can come up with money for a building, they will dedicate themselves to making this work.
Their vision is to find a safe, fun place for area youth to spend their free time, help the community, and maybe even study when not at school.
No matter what happens, no one will be able to say this group of three didn't try.
"We're pushers," Coleman said. "We're not going to stop bugging [officials] in this town
If you would like to help or find out more information about the project contact Brett Billings at 620-382-3139.
