564 Willard Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
September 18, 2015
Mrs. Amy Boutilier
Sports and Medical Sciences Academy
280 Huyshope Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Mrs. Boutilier:
My captstone project involves supporting youth football players who are a part of the New Britain PAL program. After personally being involved in the PAL program I would like to go back to mentor youth football players so they have the positive experience I had. The New Britain PAL program not only helped me grow as a player but also as a person. My coaches used football fundamentals as a way to teach life lessons. I learned to be discipline, be respectful, and with hard work comes success. These three characteristics are a very important part of my success in high school, in the classroom and on the field. I will pursue my project by helping coach on game days as well as developing a close relationship with my mentor to learn how to become a better player, coach, and role model.
My essential research question is, "How can youth football programs, such as PAL, help inner city kids be successful and keep them away from bad influences?" I will interview athletes who have been successful to ask how being part of sports at a young age helped them grow as a person. Some artifacts I will be collecting as I continue my project are the interviews, pictures during the ride along, pictures of the games, and other things that relate.
The person who will help me with my project and mentor me is Barry Hertzler. He is a product of the PAL program and was successful in the sport he played and is now a police officer for New Britain. He played baseball professionally, which makes him a good mentor for my project. He is an example of how starting sports at a young age can lead to success in all aspects of life. My project isn't only going to affect the young football players, but me as well. I'm a high school athlete and have been playing sports since I was very young. Talking to people who were in my position and did something with their lives will really help me in how I go about things after high school. My project is going to be a good reflection of myself and how I believe guidance leads to success.