Photos: Celebrating Good Kids In Derby

The Mayor’s Annual Youth Awards Ceremony has blossomed into a full-fledged community event, complete with mini-acceptance speeches by kindergarten students.

OK, maybe cute-as-a-button Bradley School kindergartener Jessica Gerckens didn’t make an acceptance speech, but she did answer Yes!” in front of almost 200 people when asked if her mommy did her hair for the ceremony.

Jessica was the first of about 40 Derby kids honored Wednesday at the Derby Middle School cafetorium.

The Youth Awards shine a light on Derby kids being good Derby kids.

They are youngsters who go above and beyond to make their school and their community a better place,” according to John Saccu, who helped organize Wednesday’s festivities.

We’re here to celebrate our youth. We’re here to celebrate our families. We’re here to celebrate our educators. We’re here to celebrate our communities,” Saccu said.

Saccu is heavily-involved in the Derby school district, working with kids on everything from Internet safety to substance abuse prevention to truancy. He also works hand-in-hand with Detective Charles Stankye, the city’s youth officer, to assist Derby youngsters who may have gotten into trouble with police.

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Saccu also has a hidden talent — the guy is the next Johnny Carson.

He was emcee Wednesday, acting like he was born behind a podium with a microphone in hand, cracking one liners (sometimes in Italian) with Mayor Staffieri — and taking the time to say a few nice words about each recipient.

He also introduced Tyler Stankye (the detective’s son) to the crowd. Tyler was a Mayor’s Youth Award recipient in 2010 and serves as a role model for Derby kids. Tyler will be attending George Washington University in the fall on a full ROTC scholarship.

Staffieri said he started the awards program a few years ago with about 15 children. It’s grown since then. The mayor said it’s important to highlight the positive.

Children just don’t want to be told when they’re doing something wrong. They want to be told when they’re doing something right,” he said.

The recipients Wednesday included:

Bradley School

Jessica Gerckens
Max Netto
Mary Montini
Nicholas Mammano
David Chevarella

Bradley School Safety Patrol
Daphney Pete
Jason Peters
Thomas Abel
Ryan Callaghan
Robert Wolf
Lester Barrios
Gianna Bacchiocchi
Gabriella Stadt

Health and Wellness Committee
Kaitlyn Gerckens
Adelmo Lia
Natalia Wyszkowski
Ty Netto
Kayli Gallant
Robert Wolf

Irving School

Alyssa Meneo
Brian Liriano

St. Mary-St.Michael

Trent Nayve
Daniell Rizzitelli

Scouts
Justin Patten
Joshua Moscato
Colby McLiverty

Derby Middle School

John Dytko
Selma Abouneameh
Charlie Sampson

Runners Club
Charlie Sampson
Gabriella Prizio
Jack Peccerrillo

Derby High School
Christopher Diaz
Lindsay Sampson
Justin Olenoski
Shenell Griffiths
Brianna Feola
Kyle Bartone
Amanda Troop
Tim Adanti

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