Meet the 2024 Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield Youth of the Year Candidates!

The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is thrilled to recognize 12 Club members as their 2024 Youth of the Year candidates! We are proud to introduce you to the first 7 candidates: Dom Colabella, Mia Colabella, Eliza Fitzgerald, Melody Jones, Ainsley King, Sophia Murray, and Jake Travaglini. All 7 are current Juniors at Ridgefield High School.

This Friday, March 22, 2024, the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield will host its annual Youth Leadership Dinner, a night to celebrate the Club and the youth that makes 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 12 Youth of the Year Candidates and 14 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 2024 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 living a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 77th 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 Dr. Susie Da Silva, Superintendent of Schools for Ridgefield; Chief Jeffrey Kreitz, Ridgefield Police Department; First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Town of Ridgefield; and Christine Carnicelli, BGCR Board Member and Owner, West Lane Inn; and Tricia Bossidy, BGCR Board Member.

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 the candidates at the dinner. Good luck to Dom, Mia, Eliza, Melody, Ainsley, Sophia and Jake!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to meet more of the Club’s fantastic Youth of the Year candidates!

Learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield https://www.bgcridgefield.org/