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Croya visits Lake Bluff board; student reads essay about belonging and leadership
Summary
Croya staff told trustees they ran more than 400 programs this year and highlighted partnerships with Lake Bluff schools; Kayen Prito read the winning Margot Martino Spirit of Croya essay about finding belonging and leadership at Croya.
Croya, a youth organization that serves middle- and high-school students in the Lake Bluff and Lake Forest area, presented to the Lake Bluff Village Board at its June 22 meeting and brought a group of staff and students to share program updates and a contest-winning essay.
Croya manager Todd Hagen told trustees the organization ran “over 400 programs and meetings this year,” including expanded study-hall and peer-training programs at Lake Forest High School and ongoing activities for Lake Bluff Middle School. He said roughly 240–250 students graduated from Croya programming this year and described classroom partnerships, leadership training, and daily van service that transports students from both local schools to Croya activities.
Student and essay contest winner Kayen Prito read her Margot Martino Spirit of Croya essay to the board. “There are not many places in my life where I feel completely unapologetically myself,” Prito said, describing Croya as “a feeling of safety, comfort, belonging, and home.” In her prepared remarks she credited Croya with teaching leadership skills, providing retreats and small-group supports, and giving her opportunities in photography and media that inspired her to run for a Cabletech position.
Board members responded with praise for Croya’s community role and its impact on local students. Trustees and the village president noted Croya’s involvement in events such as the Lake Bluff Fourth of July parade and youth-focused programs like the Battle of the Bands and retreats. The board expressed appreciation for staff and volunteers and acknowledged the organization’s multi-generational ties to the community.
The visit concluded with applause for Prito’s reading and brief remarks from trustees and Croya staff. No formal action was required or taken on the presentation.
The village board’s recognition of Croya follows ongoing collaboration between the organization and Lake Bluff schools, highlighted in the presentation by references to Lake Bluff Middle School programming and Croya’s role in leadership and prevention education.
