Changing The World

To the Editor,

Recently Newtown Youth Services held a reception for members of the Middle School Youth Advisory Board (MS YAB). They had been recipients of a national award from the Kids Care Club. I always knew that members of this group, both individually and collectively, were special and at that gathering a few members proved the point.

In the midst of this event a hand went up. Someone wished to make a presentation to Newtown Youth Services. A group of young women had held a fundraiser and chose NYS to be one of the beneficiaries. One member quickly and quietly presented the check and on we went. It was not until later that I became fully aware of what the story behind the donation was.

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I was to find out how prophetic her words were. For the last two years, following the Labor Day parade, Tara Gaston and her family generously offered their back yard as the site of a mini-carnival. Tara, in particular, worked for many months developing booths, ordering prizes, and designing the layout for this fun event. She then enlisted the assistance of close friends Mary Anders, Maria Cinquegrana, Erin Clark, and Casey Frobey. These terrific entrepreneurs are first year members of the MS YAB.

Several adjectives went through my head as I debated how to classify their actions: admirable, selfless, impressive, enterprising, ingenious, heartwarming, any would fit. Perhaps the most important description is “self-directed.” The “fabulous five” undertook the endeavor and never looked back. Undaunted they ran their carnival (while also managing to play in a soccer tournament that weekend). Taking a page out of The Three Musketeers, remaining members of their soccer team also joined in on the fun. Thanks to Vicky Cardoso, Siobhan Cooper, Emily Fields, Caitlin Hansen, Alex Konneker, Mary Grace Ober, Megan Rawson, Jillian Tanner, Vicky Thomas, and Christie Zingoni.

(By the way, congratulations to the above mentioned soccer team. They are the U-12 Girls Soccer Team Champions from Newtown’s Memorial Day Kick-Off Soccer Tournament!!)

Instead of buying the latest CD or treating themselves to other material things these philanthropic young women had predetermined to whom their generous donation would go. Newtown Youth Services is truly gratified and awestruck by the thoughtfulness of these caring students.

Sincerely,

Roseanne G Loring,

Advisor, MS YAB

41A Main Street, Newtown                                        June 6, 2000