DENVER — On a day that brought out numerous special guests — including Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot — the most memorable visitor was perhaps TeAndra Taylor, or Te-Te as she has been known at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club ever since she joined the club as a teen.
During the club's 15th anniversary celebration Thursday, Taylor stood as a shining example of how the Boys & Girls Club, through communal support, can provide the opportunities that can change lives — so much so that the club asked her to return for the ceremony and to give a speech.
Taylor joined the club at 15, an age that provided her with, in her own words, "an attitude out of this world" and a skepticism that the club would be of any value to her. But her mother was friends with the club's director, Rich Barrows, so she had little choice in the matter and, along with other members of her family, became one of the first families to join the club.
"I, like most teens, judged this place basically like judging a book by its cover," Taylor said. "I wanted absolutely nothing to do with this place. But thanks to Rich befriending not only my mom, but all her sisters and brothers, I had no choice but to come here every single day."
Soon enough, however, she learned and experienced the beauty of the club. And she took advantage of those opportunities.
Current and past members and families that have made the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club a success came together Thursday for a celebration of the club's 15 years of existence and community support.
A toddler gets up out of his stroller at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener and a couple children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Fans take a photo of Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener and children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver chief executive officer Erin Porteous talks with President and CEO Joe Ellis at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Miles the mascot at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
A child at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver chief executive officer Erin Porteous speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children and families at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Billy Thompson at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club director Rich Barrows speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club director Rich Barrows speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Kirsten Washington, the 2018 Broncos Boys & Girls Club Senior Youth of the Year, speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018. at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children listen to speeches at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
TeAndra "T.T." Taylor speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
TeAndra "T.T." Taylor gives club director Rich Barrows a hug at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis talks with TeAndra "T.T." Taylor, club director Rich Barrows and the club's 2018 Youth of the Year Kirsten Washington at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Families go through the dinner line at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
A child plays soccer on the outdoor court at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Ring of Fame former safety Billy Thompson takes a photo at the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Photos of the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Mementos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Families look through photos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Photos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Ring of Fame former safety Billy Thompson at the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The balloon animal station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At a games station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At the prize station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Former Broncos tackle Ryan Harris looks at photos from the club's history with his family at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Former Broncos tackle Ryan Harris looks at photos from the club's history with his family at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
It started small — simply getting involved in the community, some trips to Broncos games and then growing to larger events, like traveling to conferences for the leadership group of which she was a part.
"I was able to travel to new places, get involved in the community, go to Broncos games — and we had the good seats," she told the crowd. "I was able to speak in front of over 10,000 people, at our Keystone conferences, join the steering committee for our conferences and more. Being involved in Keystone was the beginning of this shy little girl flourishing into a young lady that was radiating with confidence."
Soon after that, she began her collegiate path — and the Boys & Girls Club's impact didn't stop there.
"This Boys & Girls Club was significant to me being selected for the Daniels Fund Scholarship, which is a full-ride scholarship to attend any college or university in the United States," she said. "It also provided me scholarships such as the Kenard Lang scholarship, the Charles Schwab Money Matters scholarship, the Youth of the Year scholarship — two years in a row — and the list goes on and on."
Barrows, who could be credited as the heart of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, continued to provide help for Taylor when he could — particularly when she applied for a new job.
"Even with my current job as a scientist for the United States federal government, my supervisor said although I had a great resume and my degree in science was spectacular, after talking to Rich, who was listed as one of my references, for an hour on the phone, he knew that he had to hire me for that position," she said.
Ultimately this is the goal of not only the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, but all of them across the country — to offer kids opportunities to succeed academically and then become leaders in their communities. An estimated 15,000 kids have been helped by the club since its inception in 2003, and the Broncos have donated about $5 million over the past 15 years to ensure the club continues to have outstanding facilities and to make sure its members have the opportunities they need to have happy and healthy lives.
"I'm sure you all have heard the quote, 'It takes a village to raise a child,'" Taylor said. "For most people, they think that village has to be your relatives. But for me the Club was my village."
It started small — simply getting involved in the community, some trips to Broncos games and then growing to larger events, like traveling to conferences for the leadership group of which she was a part.
"I was able to travel to new places, get involved in the community, go to Broncos games — and we had the good seats," she told the crowd. "I was able to speak in front of over 10,000 people, at our Keystone conferences, join the steering committee for our conferences and more. Being involved in Keystone was the beginning of this shy little girl flourishing into a young lady that was radiating with confidence."
Soon after that, she began her collegiate path — and the Boys & Girls Club's impact didn't stop there.
"This Boys & Girls Club was significant to me being selected for the Daniels Fund Scholarship, which is a full-ride scholarship to attend any college or university in the United States," she said. "It also provided me scholarships such as the Kenard Lang scholarship, the Charles Schwab Money Matters scholarship, the Youth of the Year scholarship — two years in a row — and the list goes on and on."
Barrows, who could be credited as the heart of the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, continued to provide help for Taylor when he could — particularly when she applied for a new job.
"Even with my current job as a scientist for the United States federal government, my supervisor said although I had a great resume and my degree in science was spectacular, after talking to Rich, who was listed as one of my references, for an hour on the phone, he knew that he had to hire me for that position," she said.
Ultimately this is the goal of not only the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club, but all of them across the country — to offer kids opportunities to succeed academically and then become leaders in their communities. An estimated 15,000 kids have been helped by the club since its inception in 2003, and the Broncos have donated about $5 million over the past 15 years to ensure the club continues to have outstanding facilities and to make sure its members have the opportunities they need to have happy and healthy lives.
"I'm sure you all have heard the quote, 'It takes a village to raise a child,'" Taylor said. "For most people, they think that village has to be your relatives. But for me the Club was my village."
Current and past members and families that have made the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club a success came together Thursday for a celebration of the club's 15 years of existence and community support.
A toddler gets up out of his stroller at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener and a couple children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Fans take a photo of Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, with rider Ann Judge-Wegener and children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The statue of Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver chief executive officer Erin Porteous talks with President and CEO Joe Ellis at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Miles the mascot at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
A child at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver chief executive officer Erin Porteous speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children and families at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Billy Thompson at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club director Rich Barrows speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club director Rich Barrows speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Kirsten Washington, the 2018 Broncos Boys & Girls Club Senior Youth of the Year, speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018. at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children listen to speeches at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
TeAndra "T.T." Taylor speaks at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
TeAndra "T.T." Taylor gives club director Rich Barrows a hug at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
President and CEO Joe Ellis talks with TeAndra "T.T." Taylor, club director Rich Barrows and the club's 2018 Youth of the Year Kirsten Washington at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Families go through the dinner line at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
A child plays soccer on the outdoor court at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Children at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Ring of Fame former safety Billy Thompson takes a photo at the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Photos of the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Mementos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Families look through photos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Photos from the club's history at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Ring of Fame former safety Billy Thompson at the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At the photobooth station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
The balloon animal station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At a games station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
At the prize station at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Former Broncos tackle Ryan Harris looks at photos from the club's history with his family at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
Former Broncos tackle Ryan Harris looks at photos from the club's history with his family at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club's 15th anniversary celebration on August 2, 2018.
