A Field of Dreams

As the sun set over San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino May 17, three youths were recognized for their contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Chyna Philips, Miguel Fernandez and Alexus Ochoa were honored in front of more than 200 at the first-ever “Field of Dreams” dinner and fundraising effort presented by the Rochford Foundation, which took place on the home field of the Inland Empire 66ers baseball club. The three teens were named the local Club’s Youth of the Year Ambassadors at the event, with Miguel Fernandez earning the top Youth of the Year honor. The title is the highest honor a Club can bestow on a youth member, said the organization. Miguel, a 16-year-old Citrus Valley High School junior from Highland, currently attends the Club’s Dennis Hansberger Clubhouse in Redlands with his three younger brothers Christian, 10, and 8-year-old twins Joshua and Joseph. Since becoming a member, Miguel has developed various life skills—from financial readiness to resistance against negative influences—that will take him into his adult life, according to the organization. “The Club is a place of endless opportunities—opportunities I could never imagine. I dedicated my young life to the college path and was on the right path. Academically, I was a perfect bowl of ice cream: three scoops of grades, AVID and teacher recommendations. But the Club, the Club turned me into a banana split,” he said. “The Club has now become my safe haven. The Club is the banana to my banana split–the foundation on which everything has been built.” Currently, Miguel holds a 4.0 GPA at Citrus Valley High School and is on the school’s honor roll. After graduation, the Highland resident will attend Hawaii Pacific University where he plans on majoring in biochemistry. Alexus Ochoa joined the Club’s San Bernardino Waterman Gardens Clubhouse in 2009 where she participates in a number of activities offered, from the Keystone to Date SMART to Money Matters programs. A product of public housing, Alexus credits the organization for helping her through a rough transition in her life, and has provided her the skills necessary to stay away from negative influences, she said. “Life before the Club seemed a bit indifferent [with] no clear path or direction. I did not have a good sense of community or family involvement in my life … but I wanted something different. I wanted to become the Alexus I knew I could become,” explained the 15-year-old Pacific High School sophomore. “I was searching for a source of positivity, expression and opportunity for a different lifestyle. One thing that’s great about the Club is that it’s a community, and it’s actually in my backyard.” Upon graduation, Alexus plans to attend California State Polytechnic University in Pomona and study in its Veterinary Technology Program. Since 2011, Chyna Philips has called the Hansberger Clubhouse her home away from home. Born in San Bernardino but raised in Redlands, Chyna’s first few days at the Clubhouse were anything but fun. But a month into the program, Chyna decided to let her guard down and hasn’t looked back since. “At this moment, I was set free, able to express myself in ways never done before. Not only is the Club fun, but it provides me support for my education,” said the 15-year-old Redlands East Valley High School sophomore. “Although Boys & Girls Club is fun, school is very important to me. Knowledge is a terrible thing to waste, but a great thing to invest in. I plan to invest in my future, and make my parents proud by attending college.” After graduation, Chyna has plans to attend the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine to study neurology. She chose the medical field to follow in her mother’s footsteps and to also help others, she said. In addition to these three youths, the organization also recognized several who have donated their time and resources to the Boys & Girls Club. Kate Salvesen was recognized for her outstanding service to the Club, while photographer Christine French and Jim O’Neil received the Friend of Youth Award. Musical performances by members of the Boys & Girls Clubs various Clubhouses and a fireworks spectacular presented by Fireworks America were additional highlights and were made possible through sponsorships from the Rochford Foundation, Academy of the Inland Empire, Fireworks America, Lois Lauer Realty, State Farm, and Brunick, McElhaney & Kennedy, among others. Proceeds from “Field of Dreams” will benefit Club teens in programs offered and a scholarship fund for the next wave of Youth of the Year Ambassadors. “We wanted an event that highlighted the impact the Club had on the kids and teens, and this event did just that,” said P.T. McEwen, chief executive officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs has been serving the Inland Empire since 1967 in the communities of Loma Linda, Mentone, Moreno Valley, Redlands, Riverside and San Bernardino. More than 1,600 youths are served daily in the organization’s after-school settings and offers both winter and summer camps for members.