The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield (BGCR) and the Couri Family are thrilled to recognize the 2021 Couri Scholarship Fund Recipients: Eli Keeler, 2021 BGCR Youth of the Year, and Vanessa Diana and Dylan Jones, 2021 BGCR Youth of the Year Finalists. All three recipients, who are longtime BGCR members and seniors at Ridgefield High School, were honored at a small ceremony at the Club on Friday, May 7, 2021.
Several years ago, the Couri Family (John, Elaine, Chris and Megan) worked with Club administration to create the Couri Scholarship Fund, which they generously fund annually, to support Club members’ post-secondary education. The Couris are long-time Club supporters, as Chris is a BGCR Alumni and former board member, and attributes a lot of his growth as a youngster to the Club.
Since the Couri Scholarship Fund’s inception, Chris and Megan have spearheaded the growth and development of the Couri Scholarship Fund as a component of the BGCR’s annual Youth of the Year program. Each year, Chris and Megan personally meet and connect with the winners, taking the time to speak to each recipient about the Club, and to learn more about them as individuals, their future aspirations, and the impact the Club has had on their lives.
“The Couri family has always been long-time stewards of the Ridgefield community and have been leading examples of philanthropy. Chris and Megan have brought so much passion to the Youth of the Year program and their financial support has been an incredible addition to our outgoing seniors.” said, Michael Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, BGCR. “Their support of the Youth of the Year program has truly helped make the program a success for all participants.”
In addition to the scholarship dollars, as the 2021 Youth of the Year winner, Keeler, was also awarded a one-week stay on Cape Cod from the Couri Family. “I am so grateful to the Couri Family for not only their generosity but their ongoing support of the Club, which I have been attending since the second grade. Their meaningful recognition of my efforts, and the place I call my second home, truly feels amazing,” said Keeler.
In the Fall, Keeler will be attending Fordham University where he plans on studying Psychology, as he aspires to be a Mental Health Professional; Diana will be attending Emory University for Business Management on her path to becoming a lawyer; and Jones will be attending Roger Williams University for Creative Writing, as he aspires to be an author. The Couri Fund Scholarship will help all three on the path to their great futures.
“Eli, Vanessa and Dylan are shining examples of the impact that our Boys & Girls Club makes every day. We can not thank the Couri Family enough for joining us in doing Whatever It Takes to Build Great Futures,” said Flynn.