Three years ago, Sylvia discovered the Boys & Girls Club which became a sanctuary where she could socialize, study, and explore. Over the years the Club has been a vital support network for Sylvia. Through the Ray Aguilera Teen Center, Sylvia has engaged in college tours, community events, and successfully advocated for funding before Pueblo City Council. As a Peer Leader at Sprague Clubhouse, Sylvia honed essential skills and received invaluable mentorship. The Boys & Girls Club has provided her with role models and opportunities, shaping Sylvia into a confident individual prepared to make a difference.



Sylvia stated "We have to be open-minded and empathetic because we don't know what everyone goes through. The Boys & Girls Club is a safe inclusive space that fosters growth, encouraging us to take risks, learn, and take accountability for our actions, regardless of our backgrounds. I have experienced no limits to what the Club is capable of doing when it comes to supporting its members. Staff encourage our academic capability, and their willingness to find a way for each club member to feel like they have a place in the Club.

Sylvia aspires to study engineering and business. The reason being is that she has always enjoyed working with her hands. When Sylvia first toured Central High School as a freshman, she discovered the engineering and business classes, and their hands-on approach to problem-solving and innovation, immediately “peaked” my interest. These fields offer numerous benefits, from job security to high earnings, and Sylvia is excited to explore them further to see where they take her in the future.