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Rebecca Schreff of Cos Cob received an unexpected surprise Thursday at the town's Veterans Day ceremony: She received the Greenwich 2010 Young Person of the Year award.
"I am shocked and honored," said Schreff, who was moved to tears. "I thought I was just here to talk about Girls State, which was an amazing experience." Laurel Girls State is a weeklong "learn by doing" program for high school juniors in which they form their own government. Schreff was elected speaker of the House and comptroller and was selected by her peers to receive the Joan Connell Memorial Award for doing the most for the program.
State Rep. Livvy Floren, R-Greenwich, pointed out Schreff's grandfather, World War II vet Michael Schreff, at the ceremony.
"We know the commemoration of Veterans Day and having his only grand-daughter honored by the American Legion are especially meaningful to him," Floren said.
Schreff said, "It is Veterans Day, and I'm so thankful for all the veterans. I went to Girls State and learned about being a leader and service, and I think that the reason that I'm able to be a leader is because the veterans have sacrificed for America."
Members of the Boys and Girls State Commission chose Schreff for the award for her accomplishments inside and outside of school. She is a high honors student at Greenwich High School, captain of the girls volleyball team, member of the track team and a trumpet player in the GHS Honors Wind Ensemble.
Schreff is a National Honor Society Peer Tutor, a volunteer with the Head Start Summer Preschool and participates in American Red Cross, Anti-Defamation League and environmental community service programs.
"Rebecca was my 'go to' young woman when I needed information or follow-up during the yearher replies were instantaneous, her research thorough and her smile 1,000 watts," said Floren.
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