English grad earns scholarship for work with youth

LYNN – Lynn English High School recent graduate Neil Wittredge received the United Way?s Marian L. Heard Scholarship recently for his continued work with the Gregg Neighborhood House.The $5,000 scholarship is designed to recognize the hard work of civic-minded students and youth-serving agencies and shines a light on the importance of high school graduation and postsecondary achievement.?It feels great,” Wittredge said about receiving the scholarship. “It takes some pressure off my back. Every penny counts.”Frantzie Kebreau, a social worker for Gregg House, nominated Wittredge for the leadership skills he has demonstrated in the community.?Neil is someone that we all admire and respect at the Gregg House,” says Kebreau. “Even with everything he had going on with his leadership roles at school, he still stayed connected and volunteered with us whenever he could. He has been, and will continue to be, a powerful role model for children in this community.”Since he was 13, Wittredge has been a part of the Gregg House in some way. He was first influenced to attend Gregg House when a mentor from the Boys and Girls Club took a job there.?Immediately, I wanted to go there because he was there,” Wittredge said.The Gregg House is an after-school program for students ranging from 5 years old to 13. The after-school program provides recreational activities to educational programs and they are currently servicing 306 children. Kids can enjoy hands-on programs, borrow books from the library, learn about the Internet, enjoy the science room and much more. It mainly services low-income families.?It is considered one of the hubs of the community,” Kristal Corias, a staff member, said. “It services the kids as well as the families and helps them to connect to outside things.”Once he turned 14 years old, Wittredge was too old to be a student at Gregg House. Not ready yet to say goodbye, he decided to volunteer there which later turned into a job. “I was here as often as I could be,” Wittredge said.The Gregg House was always there for Wittredge when he needed somewhere to turn to. “There were times in my life where I was having problems and I could come here and forget about them,” Wittredge said. “It has helped me through a lot.”Soon the Gregg House became like a second home for him. “I have met some of my best friends here,” Wittredge said.?The Gregg House gives kids structure,” Wittredge said. “It gives them a place to be themselves and to have fun.”In high school Wittredge was captain of both the football and lacrosse team, and the senior class president.Wittredge credits his success to his time spent at the Gregg House. “It taught me not to care what others think about me,” Wittredge said. “You just have to tell people how it is and how you feel.”In the fall, Wittredge will be attending college at Suffolk University. For his freshman year, the recent high school graduate will be studying in Madrid, Spain.?It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Wittredge said.He is most excited about exploring a new culture. “I can?t wait to learn new things and meet new people,” Wittredge said. “Of course, I am there to study but it is still cool to be there.”He is undecided about what to major in.?There are a lot of things I can see myself doing,” Wittredge said.While Wittredge is excited about the fall, he does admit to having some pre-college jitters.?I am trying to put off thinking about it. I just do what I have to do now,” Wittredge said. “I am sure I will be a nervous wreck the first day I am there.”Wittredge says he will miss home-cooked meals and the support of his family and friends the most while he is abroad. “I will miss always having someone there even if I didn?t need them,” Wittredge said. “It should be a great experience though.”As Wittredge continues on to the next chapter of his life, he doesn?t plan on saying goodbye to Gregg House ever. “I will be involved with Gregg House for life,” Wittredge said.