Red Sox Kids Nation taps Lynn girl as new captain

LYNN – A 12-year-old Lynn girl gained special access to Boston’s Fenway Park over the weekend when she was named a Red Sox Kids Nation captain.Jade Leong, the daughter of John and Cindy Leong, was one of 12 children chosen for two-year terms as captains among the more than 900 who tried out.Leong, a student at the Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead, was the only candidate from Lynn to win the contest, which included writing an essay on community service.In her essay, Leong said children who attend Red Sox games are fortunate. “When I go to Red Sox games, I know I feel very lucky because I knew many kids can’t go. Not only can’t they go, but many are in need of clothing, shoes and school supplies. To help build community and assist families in need, I would recommend a community service event to support the organization Cradles to Crayons in Boston.”Leong volunteered at Cradles to Crayons through her school. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was overwhelmed by how organized they were and the size of the facility. While I was there, my job was to sort and clean shoes,” she said, explaining that the organization accepts and distributes new or gently-used items. “It made me feel good knowing that I was helping a child my age or younger. I will be going back in June to help again.”Leong suggested that the Red Sox Kid Nation captains work together with Cradles to Crayons by creating an advertising campaign that requests families attending Red Sox games bring items to the stadium for donation.”There could be collection boxes at the gates for people to put the clothing and shoes in,” she said. “Families would have an opportunity to sign up.”On Saturday, Leong attended the Phillies game at Fenway where the Red Sox emerged victorious, 10-2. She and the other new captains accepted their titles from those who had just completed two-year terms, including Victoria Glidden of Lynn.On Monday, Leong stood with U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney for a photo op at her school where the congressman was visiting the classroom to learn about the students’ Haitian relief petition project.Leong has two older siblings living in Washington, D.C. n brother Aaron and sister Jessica, both graduates of Classical High School and George Washington University. Her parents own and operate SmartComs, a Lynn communications business.