Exceptional Teen Named 2022 Youth of the Year by Wakeman Boys & Girls Club

Rania Ahmad to Vie for State Title and Scholarship

Selected from 10 outstanding youth across the organization, Rania has been named 2022 Youth of the Year by Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 75th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures. Rania will go on to contend for the Connecticut Youth of the Year title and a $2,500 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.


Ahmad, a senior at Trumbull High School, has an exemplary academic record and has been recognized by her school and other organizations for her leadership, service, and volunteerism. Her passion for equality and advocacy is reflected in the causes and projects she takes on in her many roles. When asked about how she can effect change as Youth of the Year, Rania says, “I will use my voice to educate others unaware of the issues that some youth face by continuing to attend protests, speak to community and government officials, and help youth advocate for themselves.”


At Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Ahmad is the current Co-President of the Southport Clubhouse’s Keystone Club, a teen group dedicated to leadership and community service. For several years, she has been a mentor in the Great Futures Mentoring Program, where she discovered how each encounter with a child could have meaningful, lasting impact. “Recognizing how far my own education has taken me makes me so passionate to ensure that others are educated as well," she reflects. Ahmad is also a Wakeman BGC junior staff member, working several days each week. Her favorite Club memory is going Over The Edge--rappelling down a highrise--to raise money for the Club.

"I know that as I graduate from high school and emerge into collegiate life,

I will be bringing a myriad of positive traits that I have gained from my time at the Club: diligence, dedication, flexibility,

and resilience."


Rania Ahmad

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

Southport Clubhouse Youth of the Year

Tim Cepetelli, Southport Clubhouse Unit Director, reacts, “We’re thrilled to have Rania Ahmad selected as Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s 2022 Youth of the Year! Whether mentoring at Holland Hill, helping kids after school as a Youth Development Professional, or leading Keystone Club activities and meetings, Rania brings infectious positivity, focus and fun with every visit to the Clubhouse.”


Outside of Wakeman BGC, Rania plays varsity field hockey and is busy as the president of Student Council. She enjoys playing with her dog, running, and travelling. After graduation, she will study chemical engineering at the University of Southern California.


If Rania is named the Connecticut Youth of the Year, she will contend for the title of Northeast Regional Youth of the Year who will receive an additional $20,000 college scholarship. Six regional finalists will advance to the National Youth of the Year event in October 2022, to vie for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $50,000.


2022 Clubhouse Youth of the Year


Congratulations to our Finalists:

Cooper Anderson, Southport Clubhouse

Liv Leal, Southport Clubhouse

Jaden Page, Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse

Gerard Roarty, Southport Clubhouse

Tobey Sappern, Southport Clubhouse

Dwayne Sykes, Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse


Thank you to our 2022 Youth of the Year Judges:


Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse First Round

Jayvon Snider, Wakeman BGC Alumnus

Anthony Johnson, Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse Unit Advisory Board


Southport Clubhouse First Round

Noor Deeb, Southport Branch Manager, People's United Bank

Chris Kelly, Wakeman BGC Alumnus

Chad McCullough, Wakeman BGC Alumnus and Member Parent


Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Final Round

Patrick Parker, Esq., Chief of Staff, UBS

Jagjiwan Singh, AVP, First County Bank

Regan Steed, Wakeman BGC Alumna & former Southport

Clubhouse Youth of the Year


February 13, 2025
Thank you to the artists who submitted works to our 2025 Fine Arts Exhibit, Express Yourself: Imagination Unbound, celebrating the power of individuality and imagination. Selected works will go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Arts Contest. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges on thematic accuracy, visual display & audio quality, artistic merit, creativity, originality and skill level. Congratulations to the first place winners: Visual Arts: Age 6-9: Hayden P. Age 10-12: Guilia Z. Ages 13-15: Keyarra H. Ages 16-18: Ryan G. Applied Arts: Ages 6-9: Harlem R. Ages 10-12: Harmony M. Digital Arts: Ages 6-9: Marcus J. Ages 10-12: Appollo A. Ages 13-15: Jayden W. Ages 16-18: Grant K.
February 5, 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!
January 19, 2025
Creator and runner of the 150 mile "Run Across Connecticut" hopes to inspire others to become the best version of themselves.
December 23, 2024
On Saturday, December 14, the WBGC Cowboys held their end-of-season banquet at our Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. The Cowboys program is about much more than football. Our players have worked hard on AND off the field. They have built a community, attended Cowboy Study Hall, and team dinners together. And they have built skills in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goal setting, and the ability to handle success and failure. Thank you to the parents, coaches, volunteers and donors who helped to make the season such a success. Go Cowboys!
November 13, 2024
Teens and young adults explored careers in the fields of construction, architecture and engineering, met leaders from union and apprenticeship trade programs, and engaged in hands-on projects at the Construction Junction on Wednesday, November 6at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. Sponsored by a collective of industry partners to mark Construction Inclusion Week, participating organizations included Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, DeWalt, Gilbane Building Company, IBEW Local 468, Iron Workers 424, Kafa Group, O&G Industries and Turner Construction in addition to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. The event was free and open to young people aged 13-25 along with family members. “The Construction Junction directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in Life & Workforce Readiness. We are excited to bring together industry leaders and our local youth to provide mentorship and to explore careers in these fields,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO. “Turner Construction Company is committed to innovative partnerships and programs to cultivate the next generation of trades workers and industry professionals. We are facing a serious gap in skilled labor and collectively are working to create pathways for lifelong, successful careers in construction,” stated Chad McCullough, Turner Construction Company, Vice President & General Manager. Participants also learned about the ACE Mentor Program offered at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, designed to expose high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, including skilled trades. Mentors from ACE companies, such as Turner, work with the students to complete a culminating architectural project. Through this 15-week program, 30 teens have opportunities for summer externships and college scholarships. More information is available here.
October 28, 2024
Thank you to our heroes and sidekicks! Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) hosted its annual Over The Edge urban rappelling event on October 26, 2024 at the M&T Bank Headquarters (850 Main Street) in Bridgeport, CT. The event featured participants rappelling down the side of the 248-foot-tall building to support WBGC in delivering programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and character & leadership. To date, the event has raised over $95K for WBGC and it's not too late to give! Wakeman BGC is grateful to event sponsors, volunteers, participants and community partners for making the day a tremendous success. Check out the News 12 coverage here. Watch a video by the Fairfield Prep Media Team here. Photos Courtesy A-Frame Media.
October 18, 2024
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the ASML STEM Lab & Makerspace at its Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse on Thursday, October 17. The new STEM Lab & Makerspace was funded by ASML, a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry. ASML, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, has a significant presence in Connecticut with more than 3,000 people employed at its R&D and manufacturing site in Wilton, Conn. The STEM Lab at WBGC was funded through a grant from ASML of $659,000, to be disbursed over three years. The Club will use the funds to equip the Lab with all necessary materials and supplies; to provide WBGC staff members with STEM-related professional development; and to send students on STEM-focused field trips. As part of the company’s support, ASML employees have committed to volunteering at the site. “Our partnership with ASML is extremely important to us and to our community,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, CEO of WBGC. “We know that STEM education and access to technology is crucial to ensure our young people have the tools they need for the future.” STEM programming at WBGC spans a range of disciplines, from computer science, coding and robotics to hydroponics and greenhouse gardening. Tech equipment in the Lab that students at WBGC now have access to include 3D printers, laser engraver printers, microscopes, robotics kits, drones and more. Smeltz added: “This collaboration directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in the areas of academic success and life and workforce readiness.” Many of ASML’s community partnerships aim to increase the STEM/technical talent pool, which society relies on to solve some of its key challenges. ASML’s commitment to being a valued partner in the communities in which it operates, specifically through education, is longstanding. In Connecticut, ASML’s support of WBGC follows the expansion of its technology education program, the ASML Junior Academy, to the United States. With partner Mad Science, the ASML Junior Academy provides free interactive technology education lessons to children ages 4 to 12 at schools in Wilton and surrounding communities. “ASML is committed to raising awareness among students of STEM-related career paths,” said Louis Lu, head of ASML’s Wilton site. “The educational and enriching programming at the ASML STEM Lab & Makerspace will give local youth access to and training on high-tech tools, and, perhaps, spark an interest that one day leads to a fulfilling career in STEM.” Photos Courtesy: Capitol Photos Interactive/Regina Madwed
September 18, 2024
In September 2024, Wakeman BGC held two Day For Kids events, in conjunction with the annual Boys & Girls Club tradition. On September 7, we collaborated with Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders and Southwest Community Health Center for our first annual event at 595 Madison Avenue. On September 14, our Southport Clubhouse held a successful Day For Kids event too! Check out the photos below.
September 16, 2024
Our Wakeman Boys & Girls Club tackle players (go Cowboys!) had the opportunity to participate in a very special clinic on September 10th with ex-NFL player Niko Koutouvides. The clinic was sponsored by Hudson Bay Capital and Koutouvides, who played for the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots. To learn more about the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Tackle Football Program, click here.
September 11, 2024
Wakeman BGC is excited to be included in Balise Auto's Tires to Inspire campaign! For every set of four tires purchased from September 1 - October 31, 2024, Balise Auto will make a donation to Wakeman BGC. We deeply appreciate their support in helping us to build great futures! Balise Hyundai of Fairfield is located at 338 Commerce Drive. As part of the campaign, our CEO Sabrina E. Smeltz was featured in the TV commercial now on air!
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