This year the Wilton Family YMCA marks the 20th anniversary of the Melissa McFadden Scholarship. Each year the Riverbrook Regional YMCA, in collaboration with Jack and Deborah McFadden, recognizes Wilton High School graduating seniors as a way of celebrating the life and achievements of their daughter Melissa. The scholarship is presented to individuals that have demonstrated compassion, dedication, and a desire to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and physical challenges in the town of Wilton. Many of the past recipients have gone on to pursue careers in education or other areas supporting people with special needs.
This year, joining the honored recipients are Maden Herve and Nicole Saxon.
Both Maden and Nicole were not only actively involved in organizations and activities supporting people with young people with disabilities, they also had close relationships and were devotedly engaged with friends or relatives with similar challenges. Throughout their lives both Maden and Nicole have devoted many hours to supporting and enhancing lives through volunteering and working at the Wilton Family YMCA and at the Wilton High School. Maden has coached the Wilton Family YMCA’s Special Olympic Track and Field team, as well as coordinating the Y’s Basketball Outreach (BOP) and their Friends and Buddies programs throughout the school year. Nicole has been spending the summers at Wilton Family YMCA Camp Gordyland and working the afterschool program as a paraprofessional at the YMCA. This fall Maden will be joining Cornell University and Nicole will be joining Bryant University in the Class of 2024.