The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is thrilled to recognize 14 Club members as their 2022 Youth of the Year candidates! We are excited to introduce you to the first 5 candidates: Max Barlow, Kayla Dewing, Dylan Kratz, Devon Noonan, and Sophia Rodriguez - all Juniors at Ridgefield High School.
This Friday, March 18, 2022, the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield will host its annual Youth Leadership Dinner, a night to celebrate the Club and the youth that make it the special place that it is! This powerful evening honors the Character and Leadership Program members in Gem Club (5th-grade members), Torch Club (middle school members), and Keystone Club (high school members), individually recognizing members for their commitment and achievements.
The dinner will also highlight all 14 Youth of the Year Candidates and 4 Junior Youth of the Year Candidates, who will each spend a few minutes speaking about their personal BGCR experience and the impact the Club has had on their lives. The highlight of the evening will be the crowning of the 2022 Youth of the Year, the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a Club member. The Youth of the Year title is presented to an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 75th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our Club’s most awe-inspiring young leaders who positively impact our Club and community.
A committee of local community leaders (and BGCR supporters) interviewed the candidates and worked with the professional staff to select the Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year judges were Aimee Berger-Girvalo, Connecticut State Representative; Susie Da Silva, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools for Ridgefield; Nicholas Donofrio, IBM Fellow Emeritus; Jeffrey Kreitz, Chief, Ridgefield Police Department; and Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield First Selectman.
The Youth of the Year winner will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from the Couri Family Scholarship Fund to help jumpstart the path to their great future.
Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at the Club, and the Club is excited to honor all of the candidates at the dinner. All Club friends, supporters, donors, and Club families are invited to attend the Youth Leadership Dinner on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Ethan Allen Hotel from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Good luck to Max, Kayla, Dylan, Devon, and Sophia! Be sure to check back tomorrow to meet more of the Club’s fantastic Youth of the Year candidates!