"Rock the Valley"

One of the great traditions of the Youth Leadership Program is the participants passion for giving back to the community. They do that in many ways, but none so personally as when they stage their annual "Rock the Valley" concert which they did once again on October 29th at the Seymour Middle School. Their goal is to teach other teens in the Valley about community service  while raising funds to a local child in need. This year, the proceeds from this benefit concert will go to Sydney Bartone from Derby. Sydney is 5 years old who has a rare cancer that only affects children, called neuroblastoma.

Prior to the concert, the students had raised approximately $1,500 through a series of car washes, but the concert is their main project. The students have to organize every detail of the concert, and they came through in flying colors again this year. Though the final total of funds raised through the concert is not final yet, the students hope to complete their efforts on behalf of Sydney later this year and present a check to help cover her medical expenses. The students would like to thank the following bands who donated their services to make the concert so successful:

• February Days
• Some Call Me the Poet
• Yesterday’s Epic
• Changing Directions
• Sunset Band
• Hate to Have to Go Back
• Cgrimner!

Valley United Way and the Youth Leadership Program would also like to thank Seymour police officer Joe Denigris for donating his time for security and Seymour Middle School principal Christine Syriac, her Administrative Assistant Betty Geloso and custodian Mike Fritz for making the beautiful school available for the concert.

 Click on images for larger pictures.