Boys & Girls Club Names Youth of the Year

Jennie Bunce, a junior at , was recently named Youth of the Year by a panel of judges on behalf of the .

“Jennie’s friendly and outgoing personality is refreshing," said Carlos Collazo, the club's executive director. "She has the natural ability to brighten up your day with her jokes and positive attitude.”

Bunce was named the club's Youth of the Year, and fellow classmates Katherine Acocella and Anne Dolan were the runners-up. The three girls interviewed with a panel of judges which include Police Chief Douglas Fuchs, First Selectman Natalie Ketcham, State Rep. John Shaban, Redding Boys & Girls Club President Greg Frierson and Redding Boys & Girls Club board member Chris Hocker.

Bunce, who's been active at the club for seven years and helped started a lacrosse program there, is also on the planning board for the at Joel Barlow.

"I didn't grow up with the club," Bunce said. "I learned how to grow-up and become an adult with the club. I learned skills that no school could ever teach me."

According to a press release, Bunce wishes to be a physical therapist after college. She's shadowed a physical therapist at Ridgefield Physical Therpay since April 2010.

"If I enjoy it, why not spend the rest of my life doing it," she said.

Runners-up

Acocella has been active at the club for 11 years, playing softball, basketball and field hockey. She is also involved in clubs at the high school.

"I would like to thank the RBGC for providing a team environment where I could grow as an individual and help me prepare for what is ahead in college and my adult life," she said.

Dolan has also been involved with the club for 11 years, playing the same sports as Acocella. She is also involved in clubs and organizations at the high school.

"Rather than keeping us off the streets, the club, to me, has been finding and enjoying what I love to do," she said.

What's next

According to the release, the Youth of the Year program has been administered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation since 1947.

"It is designed to promote and recognize service to the club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life, and is the highest honor awarded," the release says.

Bunce will next compete against other local Youths of the Year at the state level. Should she win at that level, she would compete regionally. Should she advance again, she would compete nationally.

The National Youth of the Year receives scholarships totalling $26,000, the release says.