Youth Task Force works to improve community

We sometimes think about our youth as only interested in themselves, but the Las Animas Youth Task Force has an agenda and it is all about improving their community. The Youth Task Force is the brainchild of Tammy Pryor, LiveWell Bent County coordinator. She has been meeting with youth over the course of the school year and working toward improving the area around the ball fields. They call the project the Las Animas Sports Complex and their theme gives us their goal. They have chosen to be "An elite society of community transformers" and they are on the move to do that.

Pryor said about the youth involved, "Youth can make a difference in their community. I love encouraging youth to find their voice and stand up for things they think are important."

These kids have taken aim at the community ball fields and area around the ball fields. The youth envision a butterfly garden, playground equipment, benches to rest, flowers along walking paths, and more and more. Their aim is to turn the ball fields into more than just a place to play ball.

These are the some of the youth involved and their reason for aiming to transform Las Animas.

Taylor Spady - I am involved in the Youth Task Force so I can actively engage in bettering the community and Las Animas as a whole. I think the ball field project will provide a fun and safe environment for youth to enjoy, as well as their families.

Hawlie Stwalley - This is something to help the community. This is something to beautify Las Animas and give the town more character.

Carrie Dean - I see the Youth Task Force making many improvements in the community and I feel those improvements are a breath of fresh air to our town.

Beth Myers - I am a Youth Task Force member because I like to be involved in community events. I believe the improvements at the ball field will liven up the community and give people another activity to do and a place for people to go.

Jaxon Spady - I am a Youth Task Force member because when I heard about how much we can do for the community, I knew I had to be a part of it. I think we should make improvements to the ball fields because it will look nice for our community and for others that travel here.

Andrew Maes - I am a Youth Task Force member because when I learned about cleaning up the community, I thought I can put a lot of effort into that and I will do a great job.

Javier Muniz - I belong to Youth Task Force because I like helping the community and meeting new friends. I want to improve the ball fields by cleaning up, helping the community, putting up safety hazard signs, and making people glad to come to Las Animas and give them something to remember us by.

Michael Burbank - I am a Youth Task Force member because it is an excellent community project to improve the Las Animas ball fields. I think the ball fields could use some work because some people like to hang out at the fields. There would be a playground which can entertain kids during the games.

Lucas Frausto - I want to make a difference in the community. I know my voice will be heard and my opinion carries weight. I want a say in how this town changes. I can change this town for the better. I want the ball fields to change so that they will be a fun place for young children to play. I could play there when I was a kid and I want other kids to play there too.