Selected among 15 outstanding youth, Allie has been named the Connecticut Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 72nd year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the Connecticut Youth of the Year, Allie will serve as an ambassador for all teens in the state, will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and will go on to contend for the regional Youth of the Year and ultimately the national title.
As a six-year Club member, Allie has volunteered more than 1,000 hours of community service throughout high-school. She has coordinated several successful community service projects with local organizations, including NAMEPA, Meals on Wheels, and most recently with the Ridgefield Prevention Council. She has participated in almost every leadership program the Club has to offer, including our Leader-In-Training program and our Junior Staff Volunteer Program, and currently serves as the Keystone Club’s Vice-President. Most impressively, Allie has done all of this, and more, while taking six AP classes, playing the cello, and dancing.
“Allie has grown up at the Club, and has truly emerged as a leader amongst her peers. She is mature beyond her years, has overcome adversity while always having a positive attitude, and we couldn’t ask for a better mentor and role model for our younger Club members.” says Mike Flynn, the Club’s Executive Director. “She earned this opportunity through her unmatched dedication and commitment to the Club. She worked extremely hard through both the local and state processes and it shows. It’s been a privilege to watch her mature into the incredible young lady she is today, and we are excited for the opportunities winning Connecticut State Youth of the Year will provide her. We are so unbelievably proud of her.”
Allie is the first Ridgefield Club member to win on the state level. “This achievement is really a testament to us as an organization, and the Ridgefield Community who continues to support the Club and our kids.” Flynn said. “We have spent the better part of a decade building our program to have the ultimate impact on our Club members. Our Board of Directors has championed this effort by investing in our teens, our Keystone Club and our Youth of the Year Program, and of course, none of this would be possible without our donors and community supporters, and most of all our Club kids past and present, especially Allie.”
In June, Allie will join other state winners to vie for the Northeast regional title. “We are incredibly proud of Allie and all the Youth of the Year nominees,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Being named Youth of the Year is a lifelong honor. As the Connecticut Youth of the Year, Allie will serve as a spokesperson for Boys & Girls Club kids across the state who need more role models that they can admire and emulate.”
About the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield
The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is a fully dedicated youth development facility. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens. The Ridgefield Club has been serving the community since 1936.
Each day at the Club we provide youth development programming in five core areas: Sports, Fitness & Recreation, the Arts, Education & Career Preparation, Health & Life Skills, and Character & Leadership Development. Members of the Club participate in activities in our five core areas that encourage increased learning, improved fitness, positive decision making, creativity, leadership, and community service. As part of the National Boys & Girls Club movement, we are able to utilize high quality programs grounded in years of research. Programming activities are scheduled each day and are free to all Club members.
About the Youth of the Year Program
Founded more than seventy years ago in 1947 as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club. The Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by The Walt Disney Company, who has supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 50 years, empowering young people to reach their full potential and providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine. Toyota is the Signature Sponsor of the national Youth of the Year program.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA- affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter.