Club names Shelton teen Youth of the Year

Freddy Dapp

SHELTON - Selected among several local outstanding youth, Freddy Dapp will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Connecticut Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corp. 

As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, 17-year old Dapp is a true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for his sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. 

Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles, and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

Despite a troubled home life, Freddy exudes a positive attitude many adults in the same situation would be hard pressed to show.  He possesses a work ethic that has taken him past all obstacles in reach of his goals.
Freddy is full of energy, life, and ideas that he consistently sees to fruition.

Freddy came to our Boys & Girls Club through a high school community service requirement and gave back far more than what was required of him. After completing his volunteer hours, he stayed because he had found a home at the Club, a sense of family that he wants every member to feel. Freddy became a Club member and joined the Keystone Club, which is a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. He served as treasurer his first year. 

Teen Advisory Council
In 2012 he was selected as one of 12 teen-agers nationwide to be part of BGCA’s Teen Advisory Council, serving as the liaison between BGCA and the youth of the community. 
Freddy played a large part in the start up of our Interact Club and now serves as Event Coordinator in the group. Although he has many other commitments as a high school senior, Freddy still manages to spend all of his free time at the club.

“My life was forever changed the moment I walked into the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley," he said.
"I went in timid and self-conscious. I had no motivation to better myself and grow. I was a scared kid that did not have any guidance. My journey began with community service that was a mandatory requirement for my high school. But I realized that I could look at the hours as an opportunity to change the lives of kids that were in similar situation as I once was. Mentoring the members at Club also helped me learn more about myself. I liked who I was becoming and gained the motivation I was lacking before. 
"I discovered that we all have the power to choose the path to our future; boy was I on the right path to an amazing future.
"I am forever grateful for my Boys & Girls Club whose doors opened for a young, timid, unsure little boy and helped to transform him into a confident, determined young man.”

If Freddy wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September, 2014, to compete for the title of BGC's National Youth of the Year.
The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley had two additional youth competing for the Youth of the Year honor—Jessica Cipriano also from the Raymond P. Lavietes Unit in Shelton and Jevonne Lashley from the Joel E. Smilow Unit in Ansonia. 

Nine members from the Board of Directors interviewed the candidates and deliberated to choose the winner: Richard Carroll, Toyota Financial Service; John Coughlin; John Calcaterra, 99 Restaurant; Ben McGorty; Ben Perry; Yashu Putorti, Hubbell Wiring Devices; Fred Serra, Serra & DelVecchio Insurance Group; Fernando Solis, Hampton Inn Shelton; and Jimmy Tickey.

For information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.