MEET OUR INTERNS

 

Brigitte Arcoite

Brigitte Arcoite is a senior at Norwalk High School where she is currently enrolled in the P-TECH program. She has been with Volunteer Square since the fall of her junior year and joined because she wanted to make a larger impact outside of school. Brigitte loves spending time outdoors with her Wilderness School program, and enjoys writing for her high school newspaper. Her biggest mission in life is to “save the planet” as an environmental lawyer and to inspire other students through Outward Bound, to do the same. She leads with this passion in a number of ways: through spreading environmental awareness in the P-TECH service corps, writing environmental editorials in the school newspaper, and especially in planning environmental events with Volunteer Square. Brigitte has recently been accepted to her top choice school Colorado College to pursue Environmental Studies. We wish her well on her journey and are glad to have been a part of it.

Amy Watkins

Amy Watkins is a junior at Darien High School. She is passionate about community involvement and volunteers regularly at the Maritime Aquarium. Her work at the aquarium inspired her to participate in Volunteer Square’s high school essay contest, in which she won third place. She is also involved in Darien Book Aid and Safe Rides, which is affiliated with the Darien Depot. Amy loves to ski and is on the ski team, as well as she runs track. This is Amy’s first year as an intern at Volunteer Square and is looking forward to meeting new people as well as giving back to the greater Fairfield County area.

 

 

Connor Downs

I am a junior at Trumbull High School. I am also heavily involved in scouting. I completed my Eagle Scout project at the Trumbull Nature Center by repairing a trail. The trail was blocked, but can now be used for day hikes. I also help out with their leaf cleanups and sponsor events. During the past summer I volunteered at YMCA summer camps helping kids play sports and learn skills. These included baseball, basketball gymnastics and soccer. I am a part of St Theresa youth group, which volunteers in the church community. We hold parish events to donate to those in need, including the Box of Joy campaign. I volunteer at Binky Patrol to help make blankets. The blankets got to the Center for Family Justice. At TOPS soccer I am an assistant to the coaches. I help kids with special needs to play soccer and play. This gives them a chance to socialize. I also run cross country and track year round at my high school and I am secretary of the French club. 

 

Alexy Berson

I'm Alexy Berson, a sophomore from Fairfield Warde High School. My interests include playing tennis and running cross country. I also have a great love for music (specifically percussion). I hope that I will be able to inspire others to volunteer in their local communities and make the world better in the process.

 

 

 

Lyndsy Pontillo

My name is Lyndsy Pontillo and I’ve been an intern at Volunteer Square since October 2019. I joined the internship program since I really enjoy volunteering in general and would like other people of my age group to get similar experiences. I’m currently a sophomore at Trumbull High School and mostly volunteer in Trumbull, especially with kids whether it’s school events or summer camps. Typically, I volunteer with kids or for the environment, however I would like to get more experience volunteering with animals and/or senior citizens.

ALUMNI INTERNS

 

Lizet Garcia is a sophomore attending Stamford High School. She is the only daughter and oldest in a family of five, Mexican from both sides of her   family, and very involved at school. She is a proud member of the Student Council, enjoys being part of the Stamford High School Marching Band,   Environmental   Action Committee, Interact, AVID Program and Upward Bound. One of her biggest passions is reading, along with music and watching   movies. She was   inspired to to join Volunteer Square because of the difference I see they make, and she hopes that she can make the same amount of   impact in   her community one day too!

 

 

 

  Madison Horowitz, a junior at Stamford High School, believes that preparing for college early is going to help her achieve her lifelong goals. For this   reason, Madison has enrolled in numerous honors courses as well as AVID, a course that provides advice to high school students for college.   Madison has spent the   last few summers volunteering at a summer camp and interned at a small fashion company. She has also shown a   strong interest in the environment by   interning at Frontier Water a company that cleans water for mines and power plants. Maddison's work with AVID   introduced her to volunteering opportunities   and opened her mind to new experiences and helping others. Volunteer Square is a perfect opportunity for   Maddi, as it allows her to combine her natural   ability to bring people together and serve the community. She hopes to study Psychology and pursue   something in the criminal justice field. Maddi is working  on strengthening her leadership and public speaking skills by taking on things such as getting her friends and family involved in the community, and peer tutoring as well as speaking in front of classes, and adults. Maddi aspires to share the joy of volunteering with her friends to build a stronger community and a better future. Keeping a happy and healthy lifestyle such as working out, spending time with friends and family truly are the things that make her free time enjoyable. 

 

 Regina Misercola  is a senior at Trumbull High School where she is Captain of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. She is President of the Infinite Love Junior Board for Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, an organization dedicated to helping families that are fighting childhood cancer, and to raising awareness and funds. Regina is passionate about helping kids fight cancer and lives by the motto, “Make It Amazing,” created by a teammate for her coach’s six-year old daughter who lost her battle with pediatric cancer. 
Regina also is Vice President of Trumbull High’s Best Buddies Club and founder of the Blanket Brigade, a club that makes fleece-tie blankets for local families, charities and hospitals in need. 

Regina is involved  with many  organizations at school and in the community and credits these experiences with teaching her lifelong skills, such as leadership and communication. These experiences led her to become an intern with VolunteerSquare, where she enjoys helping promote the value of volunteerism to other teens.

In addition to her community service commitments, Regina is an aspiring writer. She has attended Middlebury College’s New England Young Writers Conference at Bread Loaf, as well as the Champlain College Young Writers Conference. She hopes to be an English teacher by day and writer by night. 

 

Claudia Zhang  is a senior at Trumbull High School and shares the love of volunteering with the Volunteer Square community! She is part of her school’s varsity cross country team as well as the manager of the Girls Outdoor Track Team. Claudia is also involved in Academic Decathlon, Interact Club (volunteer-based club), and the school play. Additionally, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Claudia loves to be involved in her community, she is a volunteer at a senior center in Bridgeport and an Assistant Coach for TopSoccer, a program dedicated to teaching children with special needs how to play soccer. She is currently the treasurer of Infinite Love For Kids Fighting Cancer’s Junior Board, where she plans to raise money and organize events to increase awareness for childhood cancer. Claudia’s dream is to one day take her love of volunteering and become a PA in hopes of making an impact on people’s lives.

 

 Kathryn Blanco is a senior at Lauralton Hall with interests in writing, politics, and foreign language. She co-edits her school newspaper and is a  member of the debate team,  Youth and Government, National Honor Society, Latin Club, and the Catherine  McAuley club, which prepares  bagged lunches for the Beth-El Center soup kitchen. She lives  in Newtown and is a junior docent at the historical Matthew Curtiss Jr. house and  volunteers with Village Pre-School summer camp in Bethel. She loves reading,  baking,  playing board games, and spending time with friends and  family.  Kathryn is excited to join the Volunteer Square internship. She is eager to connect with other individuals  and organizations passionate  about community service and learn the necessary skills to continue involvement with charitable organizations later in life.

 

 Taylor Brand is a junior at Ridgefield High School. She is on the board of Relay of Life in Ridgefield with First Selectman Rudy Marconi. Together  they worked to recruit other high school students to the organization. A varsity volleyball player, Taylor is also a member of F.B.L.A and D.E.C.A  where she participates in competitions in the business and marketing areas. She's an avid photographer and hopes to learn more about marketing  and advertising during her internship.

 

 

 Bertha Castellanos is a senior at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield. She has been a member of the French honor society for the past two  years. Bertha is also a  member of the Campus Ministry club at her school where she participates in voluntary work. She enjoys doing fun activities,  such as bowling, with her friend and family.  Bertha hopes to major in Marketing and travel around the world.

 

 

 Daniel De Menezes is a sophomore at Norwalk High School, enrolled in the Norwalk Early College Academy. At NHS he takes honors and college  classes. Daniel loves and  embraces his Latino background. His mom is Mexican and his dad is Brazilian. He enjoys playing volleyball and using social  media. Daniel is a funny, outgoing, hardworking  kid with a passion for photography and writing. He plans to major in English during college. Daniel  hopes to develop new skills through the internship. He wants to gain  experience to use in his future. He hopes to meet new people.

 

 

 Julia Haskins is a junior at The Academy of our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, where she plays basketball and is the president of her class. She is  involved in multiple honors  and AP classes while also participating in the National Honor Society, Debate club and  Spanish club as well as Student  Council. Lauralton's primary value of mercy and serving  those in need is what inspired Julia to join  Volunteer Square. In her spare time, Julia enjoys  hanging out with her friends, family, and her dog, watching movies and playing  basketball. She recently started her college process and hopes to pursue  a career in communication. Julia's main goal is to take away an incredible experience in a  variety of  volunteer work and to encourage her peers to gain  the same experience. She considers herself to be a genuine, dedicated person and is hoping to bring these qualities to her work  with Volunteer Square.

 

 Kat Heaney is 17 years old and a senior at Darien High School. She has been a part of numerous clubs and organizations at  Darien  High  School,  including becoming a  leader for Safe Rides Darien, a program that offers safe rides home for students who need  them. She’s on the lacrosse team and will continue to play when she attends  Union College in the fall. Kat is really excited to get involved with Volunteer  Square.

 

 

 

Alexis Molina is a senior at Westhill High school in Stamford where he is the senior class president, a member of the stock market club, and a member of Land Crew were he collaborates with other students to help the incoming 9th graders transition to high school. Alexis also has a passion for volunteering, he loves going to Sunrise Senior Living an elderly home where he takes care of the elderly and does anything possible in order to brighten their day. Alexis is really excited to join Volunteer Square as he says it’s an opportunity that will help him grow as a young adult.

 

 

  Olivia Loo is a junior at Joseph A. Foran High School. While taking multiple AP classes at Foran, she is involved in Student Government, Science Club,  Math Club, and National Honors Society. Last year, she founded the club, Bracelets for A Cause, which allows her to use her passion for art to benefit her community. Olivia also mentors special needs kids in the Milford Recreation Department's Adaptive Dance Program. Olivia is excited to join the Volunteer Square internship. She is eager to connect with other individuals and promote volunteerism.

 

 Cristina Ludwig is a sophomore at Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT where she is sophomore Class President, a cross country/indoor track runner, and a  golfer. She is also a  member of Climate Crusaders, her school’s spirit club, and  Spanish Club.  Cristina has a  true passion for volunteering and  service and outside of schools, she is a member of  the  Milford Young Women’s  Club, a local volunteer organization that teaches leadership skills,  activities in education,  international/Veterans affairs, cooking,  health,  environmental projects, and more. She also created her own service  project: a holiday card making party for nursing home residents. Started with a friend, they have made  over 900 cards in total over the course of  four years.

Last year, Cristina was the 3rd place winner in the Volunteer Square Essay Contest and decided to use some of the money to help buy craft supplies for next year’s card making. Cristina is excited to be going on a Mission Trip to Navajo Nation in New Mexico this February. In her free time, she can be found baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. This is her first year as a Volunteer Square Intern, and she is super enthusiastic about promoting volunteerism.

 Kevin Moccia, a Trumbull High School junior, has lived in Trumbull all his life with his parents and his brother. At THS, Kevin takes honors and AP  classes while also running  for the track team, playing saxophone for the concert and jazz bands and he recently joined the Model Congress club. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends  and family. He has recently started touring colleges in the Northeast area, although he still undecided about what to pursue as a career. Kevin considers himself to be a  hardworking and kind person who looks for any opportunity to help people in his community. Through his internship, he hopes to encourage other teens to pursue their  passion, to strengthen their drive to make a  difference and to get involved in community service projects. Kevin believes that volunteering is not just for fulfilling service  hours at school, but also a way to experience the feeling of fulfillment you get from helping people and making an impact in the lives of others.

 

Max Richo is a sophomore at Trumbull High School, enrolled in the Agriscience program. In his free time, he plays basketball in a league at the Shehan Center and is a member of the Key club. He considers himself to be an easygoing person who enjoys spending time with friends and family. He has a strong work ethic, is a good collaborator and very patient. Max credits these skills from his time volunteering as a youth counselor at Sterling House in Stratford, CT. Through this internship, Max hopes to put his skills to use as he learns from and helps people in his surrounding neighborhood communities. He is excited to gain valuable experience from different populations, through his volunteer opportunities in Connecticut.

 

Annie Wright is a senior at Darien High School. She plays lacrosse and is a member of the Helping Hands club that collects school supplies for low income families, and schools who have low budgets. Annie is also a member of Safe rides, a program designed to provide a free and confidential ride home to any student who is not in a condition to drive safely. In her free time she coaches for a club lacrosse team (CT Grizzlies) at SONO field house. Annie will attend University of Florida in the fall. This is Annie’s first time being involved with Volunteer Square and she is so excited to be given this opportunity.