There were six finalists for the 51st Youth of the Year award, which was awarded on Thursday night at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
2019 Greenwich Champion of Youth award winner Rebecca Breed (in blue) with children Alan, Giff and Becky. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
The Boys & Girls Club 2019 Youth of the Year winner Michael Rincon walks to the podium. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
The candidates included several first generation Americans who Tony Mann described as having faced all the challenges and embraced all the opportunities on offer.
Mr. Mann, who said everyone remembers the first time they come to the Club and how nervous they are, introduced the six finalists: Marvin Campus, Domenica Echeverria, David Jaramillo, Vanssa Maldonado, Mason Perkins and Michael Rincon.
The Youth of the Year award was presented to Michael Rincon, a senior at Greenwich High School, who has been a member of the Club since first grade when he was 6. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve.
Michael has participated in swimming lessons, ice skating, multiple sports, Barracudas, young mariners, and more. Today he works at the club pool as a lifeguard.
Michael recalled his first experience at the club and learning how to swim. He credited swim coach Dawn Berrocal for helping him meet the challenge of “letting go of the wall one finger at at time.”
Also honored was Champion of Youth Honoree Rebecca Breed 2019, who attended the event with her children, Alan, Giff and Becky.
Bobby Walker presented a proclamation from First Selectman Peter Tesei declaring Feb 7 Rebecca S Breed Day in the Town of Greenwich. Breed was honored for dedicating more than 40 years to public service in the community and in government. She served six years on the Board of Selectman including two years as first selectman.
Breed who for a decade has hosted an annual Valentine’s Day ice cream social at the Boys & Girls Club where she has been involved for 25 years.
Fred Camillo presented a citation to Breed on behalf of the Greenwich Delegation – including himself, State Rep Steve Meskers, State Rep Livvy Floren and State Senator Alex Bergstein. He noted that Breed is notable not just for her public service as a Selectman and First Selectman, but, he said, “While most people exit state right or left, you hung around and you helped people and served the community very well.”
Also it was announced that Rebecca Breed and the Breed family have pledged $1 Million from the Rebecca Breed Scholarship Foundation, which will be $100,000 each year for the next ten years.
Matt Fox, Allan Breed, and George Fox at the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Borsuk and Joan Lowe at The 51st Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
2019 Greenwich Champion of Youth award winner Rebecca Breed. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jill Oberlander, Allesandra Mineo-Long and Jen Seidel at the Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ashley Culver shared the impact the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich had on her growing up. Today she is an employee of the Club. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
2019 Youth of the Year winner Michael Rincon at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Don Palmer, Michael Rincon and Bobby Walker at the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Former Greenwich First Selectwoman Rebecca Breed (in blue) with family at the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jon Drosos and Camryn Ferrrara, past recipients of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Youth of the Year award. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
2019 Youth of the Year Michael Rincon with 2018 winner Domenica Echeverria at the Club on Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Domenica Echeverria, Vanessa Maldonado, Marvin Campos, Mason Perkins and Michael Rincon at the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Don Palmer, Joe Siciliano, Camryn Ferrara an Alan Barry at the Youth of the Year celebration at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Feb 7, 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager
Joseph Havranek and Fred Camillo at the Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Feb. 7, 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager
Kristen Rosenbaum, Alessandra Mineo-Long, and Michele Smith at the Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Representatives Steve Meskers and Fred Camillo at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich 2019 awards. Feb 7, 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager
Dawn Berrocal, Megan Sweeney, Mindy Midy and Mary Ann Smith at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jon Drosos, Alessandra Mineo-Long and Camryn Ferrrara at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Steve Meskers, Patricia Santonocito and Burt Hilton at the Boys & Birls Club of Greenwich Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Welcome crew at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich for the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Joey Magliocco, Kathy Yavari, Chrissy von Oiste and Monique deBoer at the Youth of the Year event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Robyn Jones, Michael Manning and Gretchen Bylow at the Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager
Lisa Stuart, Jenny Baldock and Michelle Binnie at the Youth of the Year event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich event. Feb 7, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager