This is my story, Miguel Medina

I just needed that right place, the right opportunity and the right people to see it. That’s where the Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley came in. It was the first place I really felt comfortable. They not only saw the real me but gave me opportunities to be my own person and surround myself with people who saw the “more” in me that I knew I always had. This didn't happen overnight. My journey with the Club is measured in years.

I remember my very first day; stepping off the Bel Aire bus and standing in front of those big front steps. I remember feeling excited but also nervous. I had no idea that what was beyond those big cement steps and doors would lead me here today, but I was just excited to finally be able to start attending the place I used to have to just watch all the other kids go to after school.

My brothers and I had lost our father early on and all we had was my mom and each other; but in walking through the doors of the Club I found an extended family. When I look back on my early days at the Club, I think of bingo and slamwich in the library with Nancy, bumper pool in the game room with Crystal and my first passion, soccer in the gym with my favorite staff, Federico. Those were great times for me, but I think they were even more important for my mom who always knew we were in a safe place while she worked to make sure we stayed happy, healthy and cared for. Over time those games became opportunities that helped me grow into the passionate and driven person I am today. Playing at The Club granted me the ability to learn, to practice and showed me how much hard work and effort pays off. At The Club was always fun, but we always grew through play. The lessons I learned at the Club gave me a foundation for my story.

Middle school brought on some big changes in my life. They didn’t have a Club at my new school and there wasn’t a way for me to attend The Club because of transportation but I always made sure to go there over school breaks. I started to see changes in personalities, interests, friends and where we would all put effort and spend our time. Over time my friends started to look different to me. They were the “cool kids” and because I didn’t match that description, I felt disconnected. That’s when I started to find my love for video games, content creation and a variety of new things beyond sports. I loved diving into these things but exploring them isolated me and separated me from the pack which was hard. At home I started to feel like I wasn't living up to the standard or expectations others were meeting, and I felt as if those closest to me couldn’t see the value in what I was doing. I was different and I resented that. I wrestled with myself over who I was, and I lost that fight many times and acted out. I was getting in trouble, referrals, detentions, all while being compared to others and their success. While I had secretly found my passion for gaming and game design and was dreaming of becoming a future content creator, I was also jeopardizing by rebelling against doubts like “that's not a real profession,” “that’s crazy, be realistic!” “That won't get you anywhere!” “can’t you be more like so and so…” and my favorite “they are just games, bro.”

In the Summer of my freshman year, I returned to the Club and found my home in the teen center. I had no idea what to expect but choosing to come back that summer was one of the most important decisions for me and my future. I met and reconnected with some of my favorite people and made friends who I now consider family. The Club also took me places. I saw my first waterfall on a trip with the Club, they took me paintballing, and I always loved the annual lock-in. But they also gave me opportunities. I visited San Francisco with them and toured it with a Club alumni who immediately connected with. I was invited to Pandora studios where I was able to meet leaders who I share similar passions with and expand my vision for the future. I’ll never forget walking through those offices because the behind each of those success stories was a kid who looked just like me and once had dreams like me. These experiences helped me leave the voices of doubt behind as they allowed me to realize my dreams weren't so crazy after all.

Life is more than just where you're going, what you have or what you can get. It’s also about bringing people together and connecting. I am passionate about video games, but now I understand that this is because they tell a story, build communities, bring people together and give us all a level playing field. So let me re-introduce myself. My name is Miguel Rivera Medina. I'm a leader in and outside of the Club. I'm a creator and future game designer who uses this art to bring people together. I'm a volunteer in my community through Keystone. I’m a Mentor who uses his voice to help future generations realize their dreams. I am a member of the Club and I’m here today because there’s a lot more than soccer going on beyond those big cement steps and doors.