Preteen a problem-solver

It is one thing to see a problem, point it out, and grouse about it, as many of us like to do.

It is quite another to see a problem, mull over how to fix it, then set about doing that ... especially when you're only 12 years old.

That is exactly what Kaylee Jo Summers of Elida did (the latter, not the former).

Thanks to an effort spearheaded by this enthusiastic soon-to-be seventh grader in the Elida Schools, the existing playground area in Elida's shady green town park is on the way to a facelift and new equipment aimed at younger children.

You need to know a few things about Kaylee Jo up front.

First of all, she's a gang member.

Yup. Somebody had to say it. Kaylee Jo, along with her sister, Kelsey, 10, and their friends, A.J. Vigil, 10, and Lacey Victor, 11, make up Elida's notorious "Girl Gang."

On any given day, you might find this biker gang (OK, bicycle gang) pedaling around the quiet streets of Elida, pulling weeds in the park, helping spiff up the local cemetery, or checking on their neighbors.

"The Girl Gang loves to check on the 'little ole' ladies' in town to see if they need anything done," Lacey's mom, Kristi Victor, told me.

Kaylee Jo is also a dreamer. She grew up in Elida, and she loves her hometown. When she looks around, she sees nothing but possibilities.

Last winter, Kaylee Jo said she got to thinking about some of her favorite parks in other communities.

"I was looking at the park in Clovis by the zoo," she said. "It's always packed. Clearly a lot of kids love it. The one in Portales is small but so much fun."

Kaylee Jo said Elida hosts frequent events and "a lot of kids come." The current playground area - a slide, two sets of swings, and a rickety merry-go-round (which has been askew since parts were stolen many years ago) - is simply overwhelmed.

She brought up the problem to her mom, Kim Summers, who happens to be the Elida Town Clerk.

"I told her, you have to talk to the Town Council," Kim said.

No problem.

Kaylee Jo prepared a tri-fold cardboard board to make her case, bought a pointer stick from a dollar store ("It felt important"), and rehearsed for her allotted three minutes.

Nerves were never an issue.

"I've known everybody (on the Council) practically my whole life," she said. "I could just be myself."

Using a presentation board neatly labeled, "Our Playground Needs to Improve," Kaylee Jo asked for "monkey bars ... and to fix up the tire swings ... and one of the biggest things, the merry-go-round. They said they would look into it. I think since a kid did it, it brought attention."

Indeed, it did.

Not only did the Town Council embrace the idea, so did the community.

The Girl Gang kicked things off with a lemonade and bake sale that raised over $1,000. Passing truck drivers gave money when they overheard a mom at the Elida Allsup's talking about the project. A local rancher pledged to match up to $25,000 of what the community gathered.

"We set a goal of raising $30,000 ourselves," Kaylee Jo's mom, Kim Summers, said. "As of Friday, we were $1,123.75 short of that goal."

Sometime in the next several months, be looking for some big changes in the Elida Town Park, including a firetruck-themed play area for young children, monkey bars for both little kids and big kids, a new merry-go-round, refurbished swings, and benches for parents and grandparents to visit while the kids play.

What's next for Kaylee Jo and the rest of the Girl Gang?

"I really want to open a café," Kaylee Jo said.

And how about a swimming pool?

"Maybe in that vacant lot north of the post office," one of the girls said.

My advice is to arrive hungry and don't forget your towel and sunscreen. This gang means business.

If you'd like to contribute to the playground project, donations may be mailed to Town of Elida, P.O. Box 208, Elida, NM 88116, or dropped off at the Elida Town Hall from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Betty Williamson tips her hat to Elida's Girl Gang and all the kids who are making our world a better place. Reach her at:

[email protected]