Three Gloucester youth who are long-term members of the local Boys & Girls Club explained its impact on them during a May 19 fundraiser held at YROC Coastal Bar & Grill, Gloucester Point.

The three are candidates for Youth of the Year recognition from the parent club, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, the event’s host.

The event highlighted the stories of Steven Kresovich, Eliana Escolero and Lexi Spangler, whose speeches reflected resilience and leadership. Their stories drew applause and laughter from the audience. Each student explained how the Boys & Girls Club helped shape their childhood as well as their aspirations.

Kresovich reflected on the importance of maintaining a sense of childhood while preparing for adulthood. Drawing from his experiences in Scouting, JROTC, and the Boys & Girls Club, he spoke highly about the value of community, mentorship and service.

“Childhood is the one season when we have the opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy ourselves in a different way,” he said. “The Boys & Girls Club helped me grow further as an individual than I ever thought possible.” Kresovich credited mentors and staff members for helping him develop confidence and leadership skills, and also mentioned the youth and how they reminded him to be a kid. Steven shared his plans to enlist in the United States Navy and attend Navy Nuclear Power School after graduation.

Escolero’s remarks brought a more emotional perspective to the stage as she spoke candidly about growing up without her father present and the impact that had on her childhood. “When I lost my dad, it felt like a piece of me was missing,” she told the audience.

She explained that because her mother worked long hours to support the family, she and her brother joined the Boys & Girls Club, where she found support, encouragement, and a growing love for education.

Escolero credited a staff member named Tricia for helping improve her reading skills and changing the way she viewed learning. “Because of her, I grew to appreciate learning and no longer saw it as a chore, but instead a privilege,” she said.

Her passion for reading eventually grew into a desire to become a teacher herself. She now plans to major in elementary education after graduation and hopes to inspire children in the same way she was inspired.

Spangler used the metaphor of a light switch and electrical wiring to describe how mentorship and community support can help young people discover their purpose. She drew inspiration from her mother’s career as a teacher and her father’s work as an electrician to describe what she called her own “lightbulb moments,” the moment where something finally clicks.

One such lightbulb moment came during a summer environmental science camp that deepened her passion for environmental studies. Another came through her work mentoring younger members at the Boys & Girls Club. “I was able to build a home throughout my time and experiences, which allowed me to reach my lightbulb moment,” she said.

Spangler spoke about helping younger club members make friends, gain confidence, and learn new skills, including robotics and technology activities. “The Boys & Girls Club is the foundation of wires that allow young people to have moments that will impact them forever,” she said. Her speech emphasized the lasting effect mentorship can have, not only on individuals but on entire communities, as well.

Hal Smith, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, opened the evening by welcoming the families and sponsors, volunteers and community partners who support the Gloucester club and its ongoing renovation campaign.

Smith spoke at length about the role Boys & Girls Clubs serve for families, especially during after-school hours between 3 and 6 p.m. This chunk of time in the afternoon is considered one of the highest-risk periods for youth involvement in negative behavior when supervision and structured activities are unavailable.

“That’s why there’s a Boys & Girls Club,” he said. “We provide a safe place for kids to go after school in the neighborhoods that need us the most.” He said the deeper mission is helping children become productive, caring, and responsible citizens through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and educational support.

The Gloucester Boys & Girls Club, housed in a former Roses department store building for the past 25 years, has served thousands of youth across the county. Smith mentioned that the aging facility is undergoing major renovations through a $400,000 capital campaign designed to improve both the building and the overall capacity. These renovations are necessary for providing a nicer space for the youth.

According to Smith, the campaign has already raised more than $208,000. Improvements completed so far include new flooring, renovated bathrooms, and the addition of two front restroom facilities. Planned future upgrades include exterior signage and improved lighting, providing extra safety to the outside of the club.

“We’re investing in the club as quickly as the money comes in,” Smith said.

Several businesses, organizations and families were recognized during the evening for their contributions to the campaign. Sponsors included Gloucester Toyota, the H.P. Jones Foundation, Chesapeake Bank, CA Lawrence Contracting, and numerous local supporters committed to strengthening youth services in Gloucester County.

Smith also highlighted the measurable impact Boys & Girls Clubs can have on communities and taxpayers alike. He explained that it costs approximately $3,500 annually to provide programming and support for one club member, compared to the estimated $148,000 cost to taxpayers if a youth enters the juvenile detention system, showing that investing in the club is beneficial, not only for the youth but also for the community as a whole.

“That’s a 42-to-1 return on investment,” he said, drawing nods from audience members.

Following Smith’s remarks, Chief Operating Officer Rob Clennon spoke about the club’s broader mission of preparing students for adult life and responsibilities. “Life rewards people who are dependable, coachable, and willing to grow,” he said. “Our job is not just to entertain young people—it is to prepare them.”

Clennon then introduced James Love, unit director of the Gloucester Boys & Girls Club, praising his leadership and commitment to strengthening youth programs throughout the county.