Helping others is what the New Fairfield Leo Club is all about. On January 19, many of the members of the Leos Club were recognized for their efforts in an official swearing in ceremony that filled everyone with pride.
The New Fairfield Leo Club Induction Ceremony was a first of sorts for the club. After all, there hadn’t been a swearing-in ceremony since before Covid, Patty Neal-Petrillo, the District 23A Pediatric Cancer Chair and New Fairfield Leos Club Advisor said. “Students who were seniors graduated and moved on, so the little Leos who had just started in 6th or 7thgrade and were now in high school never had an induction ceremony,” says Neal-Petrillo.
The ceremony, which was held at Biscotti’s Restaurant, saw the swearing in of 20 new registered Leos as official members of the New Fairfield Leos Club. “We now have 30 registered Leos,” she says. “We haven’t had that large of a group since the 80s!” Additionally, Leo Club officers were also installed at the meeting: Siobhan Barton as Secretary, Anne Johnston as Treasurer, Alexa Oder and Ryan Rodriguez as Co-Vice Presidents, and Julissa Tomaino as President. “We haven’t had positions like this in over five years, and now have a President and Co-Vice Presidents,” she adds. “It’s truly amazing.” Parents of the Leos as well as upper members of the New Fairfield Lions Club were also in attendance to watch as the Leos were sworn in, given certificates and pins, as well as their club tee shirts.
What made the New Fairfield Leo Club Induction Ceremony even more momentous was its timing. “An induction ceremony hadn’t been held in over six years,” explains Neal-Petrillo. “Plus, the event was 25 years to the day that the New Fairfield Leo Club was chartered by the New Fairfield Lions Club!” Dates aside, though, Neal-Petrillo couldn’t be prouder of the Leos. “They’re truly such an awesome group of young adults and each comes from a different and interesting background,” she says. “They all come together with a sense of service to help others.”
Next up for the Leos: their first in-person Mid-Winter Conference on February 4th. “It’s the first time we’re getting together in person since Covid, so it’s really exciting,” says Neal-Petrillo. The multi-district meeting will help solidify ideas for future service activities, such as an Earth Day-themed recycling event that will team up the New Fairfield Leos Club with the Abbott Tech Leos. “This is the first time that they’re joining forces in a joint project to not only help one another, but help the earth as well,” she says.
By Jennifer Parris