RIDGEFIELD — Got bottles? Cans, anyone?
If so, Ms President US of Ridgefield - Maggie Fleuette - will stop by and pick them up!
In the culmination of an 8-session girls’ civic leadership program, Maggie Fleuette, an 8th Grader at St Luke’s School, became “Ms President US” of Ridgefield. She won on a campaign to help deliver books to children in under-served communities, using funding from redemptions of used bottles and cans.
“I wanted to have a positive impact on kids who don’t have the privileges I have had. So I created a website and am now collecting cans from neighbors and anyone else who wants to help” says Maggie. Her website is: fleuettem25.wixsite.com/bottlesforbooks
Maggie was one of more than 30 girls in grades 4th to 8th who participated in the program that focuses on local, state and federal leadership – as well as public speaking and debate skills. The program culminates in a Campaign and Election - this past year, the winning campaigns in other towns focused on animal rights, neighborhood safety, feminism, autism awareness, diversity, and the environment.
The Election and Campaign was attended by several local officials including Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield. A member of the Advisory Board since its inception in 2017, Rudy states “Ms President US has filled a niche that is very important. We need to have more women in politics, and this is a great foundation-building program.”
At the invitation of First Selectman Marconi, Maggie had an opportunity to speak at the Ridgefield Ceremony on September 11th where she thanked the first responders who continue to keep our communities safe.
Asked what motivated Maggie to participate in the program, Maggie said, “When I first enrolled, I wanted to be the first female president of the US. But now I’m not sure. I just want to make a difference and this program gives me a chance to do that.”
Enrollment is now open for the 2021-2022 year and the first session is Friday, October 15th at the Ridgefield Library. To enroll, visit the website: mspresidentus.org