Youth Center

Paul Johnson shows off a Random Acts of Excellence card in the Zen Room at the Hamilton County Youth Center. The cards are awarded to middle and high school students for good behavior allowing youths to get free treats and gift cards.

Paul Johnson shows off a Random Acts of Excellence card in the Zen Room at the Hamilton County Youth Center. The cards are awarded to middle and high school students for good behavior allowing youths to get free treats and gift cards.

Youth Center rewards ‘Random Acts of Excellence’

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Paul Johnson of the Hamilton County Youth Center is helping teenagers get a reward for good behavior via Random Acts of Excellence cards with the support of community members and local businesses as announced on Youth Center Facebook Feb. 3.
Three boys, Christian Jividan, Milo Gustafson and Ryder Retzlaff play an Xbox video game at the Hamilton County Youth Center. Paul Johnson claimed $40,000 in renovation to modernize the Youth Center with $50,000 raised for those costs and continued operations since reopening in June.

Three boys, Christian Jividan, Milo Gustafson and Ryder Retzlaff play an Xbox video game at the Hamilton County Youth Center. Paul Johnson claimed $40,000 in renovation to modernize the Youth Center with $50,000 raised for those costs and continued operations since reopening in June.

Youth Center parties on six months after reopening

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The Hamilton County Youth Center has been reopened for six months to middle and high school students and Paul Johnson has been busy with keeping the operation running as a hot spot of teenage activity.
Artist Brandon Marr stands next to the mural of Merwyn Davidson. Marr had used the design for a sticker made around the time of Davidson’s passing painted mostly in vibrant red and black outline.

Artist Brandon Marr stands next to the mural of Merwyn Davidson. Marr had used the design for a sticker made around the time of Davidson’s passing painted mostly in vibrant red and black outline.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Muralist returns to Aurora to paint Merwyn Davidson A bit of the old attitude has returned to the walls of the Hamilton County Youth Center. Marketing graphic designer and artist Brandon Marr has returned to his hometown to paint a mural of passed Youth Center founder Merwyn Davidson.
Madison, Conner and Natalie James play air hockey next to the mural that won the contest last month with the “Great Wave” mural in the neighboring Merwyn and Betty Davidson Zen Room.

Madison, Conner and Natalie James play air hockey next to the mural that won the contest last month with the “Great Wave” mural in the neighboring Merwyn and Betty Davidson Zen Room.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Youth Center opens to warm community welcome More than 30 people of all ages poured into the newly opened Hamilton County Youth Center located at 1217 12th Street on Saturday.
From left to right: Paul Johnson, Jen James, Mallory Johnson, Alex Hageman and Nick Lewis are the “core” team of volunteers standing next to the mural reading “Be Excellent to Each Other.”

From left to right: Paul Johnson, Jen James, Mallory Johnson, Alex Hageman and Nick Lewis are the “core” team of volunteers standing next to the mural reading “Be Excellent to Each Other.”

New and improved Youth Center readies for opening

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
The Hamilton County Youth Center, which is due to open on June 4, has undergone a lot of changes in the last month.
Clarissa Orman and Wyatt Philippi help adults paint the wall of the Youth Center. Children have offered both help and insight into the center’s renovation.

Clarissa Orman and Wyatt Philippi help adults paint the wall of the Youth Center. Children have offered both help and insight into the center’s renovation.

Youth Center gets a fresh new look, plan for the future

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Paul Johnson’s goal of reopening the Hamilton County Youth Center has grown a lot since just four weeks ago.  While 19 volunteers helped redecorate the center on Saturday, Johnson related what has been accomplished at the center as interest in the project has grown rapidly.
Aurora High School seniors Caden Carlson (left), Elena Kuehner and Preston Ramaekers have recently been named National Merit Scholar Finalists. They await the final round of selection later this year.

Aurora High School seniors Caden Carlson (left), Elena Kuehner and Preston Ramaekers have recently been named National Merit Scholar Finalists. They await the final round of selection later this year.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Trio sets sights on National Merit Scholar program The Aurora High School senior trio of Caden Carlson, Elena Kuehner and Preston Ramaekers have excelled in a number of things over their high school careers -- though becoming National Merit Scholar Finalists is up at the top.