Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Celebrates its Finest

There was more laughter than there were tears at Thursday night's 45th annual awards night at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.

But when program director Don Palmer introduced the "Knuckles for Life" award to staff member Ryan Accurso, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. In fact, the table napkins came in handy multiple times throughout the celebration of honorees.

Executive Director Bob DeAngelo kicked off the ceremony. "The children that are here right now are an intense source of pride for us at the Boys and Girls Club," he said. "I think it's the reason we get up every day, come to work. We truly love the kids who are in this room right here. We believe in you. We are your champions. We are totally proud of you."

DeAngelo, who described coming to the club since the 1960s, took a moment to explain the club's logo, a pair of hands clasped together. "They are also referred to as 'the knuckles,'" said DeAngelo. "The knuckles means we're all here together."

Youth of the Year winner Alleyha Dannett, a Greenwich High School junior, prolific volunteer, Patch blogger, and longtime member of "the club," presented an emotional tribute to the place she described as her second home and all the staff who made an impact on her during her formative years.

The ceremony was attended by numerous local officials including Greenwich School Superintendent William McKersie, state Sen. Scott Frantz (R-36), and state Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151), who assisted with presentation of awards.

Dinner was catered by Garden Catering and, following tradition, the two jumbo sheet cakes were provided by St. Moritz Pastry Shop and Black Forest Pastry Shop.

Awards Night Recipients:

Francis X. McGinty Youth of the Year Award: Alleyha Dannett

Camp Simmons Award: Katie Piro

Clubhouse Summer Camp Award: Gabrielle Catalano

Junior Boy Athlete of the Year Award: Jeffrey Enamorado

Junior Girl Athlete of the Year Award: Violet Mikalopas

Junior Swimmer of the Year Award: Jack Jee

James R. Natale Swimmer of the Year Award: Caroline Schultz

Midget Member of the Year Award: Chloe Smith

Athlete of the Year Award: Jenny Cespedes

Project Learn Award: Hailey Villanueva

Joanna Schulman Teen Community Service Award: Julia Tedesco

Jackie Joyner Kersie Award: Lauren Doyle

Joanna Schulman Teen Community Service Award: Julia Tedesco

Lillian Butler Davey Education Volunteer Award: Claudia Rupnik

"Knuckles for life" Award: Ryan Accurso

Theater Arts Award: Julia Bibeault

The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is located at 4 Horseneck Lane in Greenwich. Tel. (203) 869-1814.

For 100 years, The Boys & Girls Clug of Greenwich has offered kids a safe place to learn and grow – and have fun at the same time. The staff and board are committed to providing high-quality educational programs, building a sense of character and citizenship, maintaining diversity, and offering kids a safe, nurturing, and affordable environment.