For 70 years, the organization now known as Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has been a cornerstone of community support and youth development in Shelton, Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and surrounding Valley towns. Originally incorporated as a Boys Club in 1956 and built on decades of community involvement dating back to its roots as the Community Building Association in 1926, the Club provided a safe, enriching place where young people could learn, grow, and connect with caring adults and peers.
One of the most meaningful traditions that emerged during the Club’s early years was the annual recognition of a standout youth as “Boy of the Year.” Long before the comprehensive Youth of the Year program affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America became widespread, this local honor celebrated a young person’s dedication, leadership, and positive impact within the Club and community. It was a way to acknowledge not just participation in Club activities, but the character and spirit that the Club helped nurture in its members.
As girls were gradually welcomed into full membership and the Club evolved into what we now proudly call the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the essence of this tradition persisted in recognizing outstanding youth — today through the Youth of the Year program, which highlights academic achievement, leadership, service, and overcoming obstacles.
The Boy of the Year distinction was never taken lightly. It was a deeply meaningful honor, awarded to young men who exemplified leadership, commitment, character, and a genuine connection to the Club. For many recipients, the recognition left a lasting impact — one they continue to cherish decades later. Men who once held the title still speak proudly of what the Club meant to them during formative years of their lives. Among them is Jeff Devine, who in 2025 celebrates the 50th anniversary of being named Boy of the Year — a milestone that reflects not only personal achievement, but the enduring influence of the Derby-Shelton Boys Club and the values it instilled. Below are Jeff’s personal reflections and memories from his Club days, shared in recognition of this remarkable 50-year anniversary.
Receiving the Boy of the Year award during the earlier era was a profound honor — reflecting years of commitment to Club activities, leadership among peers, and the guidance of the caring staff and volunteers who made the Club a second home for so many. Your personal story not only preserves that legacy but celebrates the continued importance of spaces like the Club where young people can thrive and be recognized for who they are and who they aspire to become.
As part of the 50 th anniversary of being recognized as what was then known as the “Boy Of The Year”, I donated a refurbished copy of that studio portrait, along with the actual awarded trophy.
I first started going to the old boys club at the corner of Howe Avenue and Center Street riding in a van they’d send to Huntington Center when I was probably about 10 or 11 years old. I guess that’s an early example of the outreach that evolved into the current multiple site locations.
My mother was in failing health at a young age, which started a downward spiral for my father. I had several siblings but they were mostly older and off doing their own teenage thing. So, I was kind of on my own to figure things out, fit in and interact with all kinds of people, while staying out of trouble. In the 1970’s era that had its own challenges. I’ve always agreed with the Boys and Girls Club motto, that it plays a vital role of giving kids and young adults a safe place to go and grow. I spent countless hours over the years enjoying club activities.
I’d occasionally do games room activities like foosball (no spinning the players), ping pong, and air hockey (chip the puck to go flying at your opponent). Crafts and othe activities were popular, but really my thing was participating in team activities in the gym.
Early on, I’d volunteer to be the clock operator or to do the scorebook for adult leagues. After that, I was very active in organizing teams playing basketball, flag football, and the always entertaining floor hockey which were offered. I was “goalie of the year” once, mostly because my team won the championship. I never even knew how to skate for real ice hockey.
Although girls started going to the club during my time attending, there was really only one big award annually. There were no candidate interviews or anything of that sort. I guess the staff discussed and selected the winner. My award year was even before Jack Ribas was in charge of the club. My award picture was with Jack’s predecessor,
Tom Frank presenting along with my father with a proud look on his face, and also my older sister Pam.
I always thought that I was one of the few kids that the famously cranky front desk person Joe P actually liked, so that probably played a big part in my receiving the award. I had no reason to think I would win but had a strange feeling when the previous award year winner was elected. Besides participating in the many club activities, I was in the Drama Club and was the Student Council Vice President at Shelton High for my resume. The award was supposed to be a secret. But I had to get out of play rehearsal and when I asked, the advisor said “yeah you can go to your banquet”. That was a big hint! Stealing a quip from Joe Sedlock who won 10 years before me, “it must have been a bad year for good kids, if I could win”.
In 1991 there was a fire that destroyed the club at the corner of Howe Ave. and Center Street. My friend was a fireman at the scene of the fire and immediately told me he rescued the copy of my picture at the club.
Post club, I’ve run my sports teams, officiated thousands of sports games, was named to the LNV Alumni Hall of Fame; and had a 40 year career in banking IT. After marrying my wife Martha, our two children Veronica and Andrew enjoyed after school programs at both the Ansonia and Shelton Boys and Girls Club of LNV locations. Overall, the club was a “Positive Place” for me, and I’ve always been proud to carry on the legacy of being named the “Boy Of The Year”, 50 years ago.