Former dancer, community activist, Ridgefield Prevention Council intern, future behavioral neuroscientist. . . the list to describe Ridgefield senior Allie Cauchon goes on and on. Recently awarded Connecticut's Youth of the Year Award by the Boys and Girls Club for leadership and youth advocacy, Cauchon epitomizes a growingly exceptional blend of ambition with compassion.
First joining the Boys and Girls Club in the summer going into her sixth grade, Cauchon said of the experience, "It was very different from staying at home every day, but I really liked it. . . the events like the cardboard boat race and going to town every day, it was special." However, her involvement in the Club didn't really take off until eighth grade when, despite balancing a demanding dance and academic workload, she increased her engagement with the Torch Club at her mother's suggestion.
Soon after, she joined the Boys and Girls Club's Leader In Training (LIT) Program to begin training to be a camp counselor at the same summer camp she had attended years ago. After increasing her involvement with the club, Cauchon said, "After such a good summer, I realized I missed going after school" and transitioned away from dancing to join Keystone Club her sophomore year. Within Keystone, Cauchon sat on the Community Service Committee, getting her first taste of substantive volunteerism. Always striving further, she would become the co-committee chair the following year and Vice President of the Executive Board the year after, organizing events such as the recent community Narcan training.
Next year, Cauchon will attend Northeastern University to study behavioral neuroscience, combining her passion in psychology with her love of working with children.