Matt Rahtelli, chief counselor to the Squires Circle of The Newtown Knights of Columbus has announced that Noah DiNallo, the Chief Squire of that Knight’s youth organization, has been selected by the State Knights of Columbus as this year’s Connecticut Youth of the Year.

The following nomination was submitted in March by the local Knights organization for the 16-year-old from Newtown High School:

“Noah joined the Squires Circle #1307 almost 5 years ago and has served as Membership Chairman, Bursar Squire, and most recently was elected Chief Squire.

"In the past few years, the Squires Circle #1307 saw a significant decrease in membership and participation. Noah was tasked with revitalizing the Squires Circle to what it once was. Although this was not an easy task, he was determined and enthusiastic about the challenge. He knew the importance of the Squires Circle and the amount of people that count on the circle for help and assistance.

"Under Noah’s leadership, the circle has recruited 15 new Squires, with another 10 on the way. He has also encouraged inactive Squires to participate once again. Noah has even gone on to reach out to local organizations in the surrounding communities, to see how the Squires can assist those outside of Saint Rose Parish. Since his election as Chief Squire, the circle has provided over 1,000 man-hours of community service.

"Not only does Noah lead the Squires Circle, but he is significantly involved outside the program as well. Noah volunteers with the Walnut Tree Hill Vacation Bible School, he’s a Student Ambassador for incoming high school students, and is a certified lifeguard. Noah works for the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department as a baseball umpire and basketball scorekeeper. He is also an athlete on the Newtown baseball team.

"Even though being involved with all of these activities, one might question how someone could also do well in school. Well, Noah has still been able to excel in the classroom, as well, maintaining an outstanding 4.156 GPA and being inducted into the National Honor Society. Noah values academics, as he know how important it is in order to succeed in the future.

"Noah DiNallo is known at Saint Rose and the Newtown communities as a well-rounded, humble, intelligent young man and a proven leader. For all of these things, we firmly believe Noah should be selected as this year’s Youth of the Year award. Thank you for your consideration.”

The week of April 20, said Rahtelli, they received notification that Noah had been selected for the honor.

“They only select one [youth] every year,” said Rahtelli, who was once a recipient of the Youth of the Year award himself. The honor goes far when applying to colleges and jobs, he added.

The award came as a complete surprise to him and to his family, Noah said on April 29.

“While I had heard of the award being won by previous Chief Squires before, I had completely forgotten about this award until I received the phone call from my Chief Counselor, Matt Rahtelli.

“Going forward, I hope that this award will help the Newtown Squires grow into a bigger circle, and that by myself winning this award, it will inspire others to give back to their community, and that it will encourage fellow squires to be their best self every day.”

Being the recipient of the award means a lot to him, added Noah.

“Squires has always played a big role in shaping who I have become today. The relationships I’ve made with fellow squires and knights as well as with the Newtown community will stay with me everywhere I go.”

Noah will be officially recognized at a State Knights of Columbus ceremonial dinner this fall, when it is hoped that social distancing directives associated with COVID-19 will be lifted and make that gathering possible.

A plaque awarded to Noah at the dinner will then be hung in the local Knights of Columbus building on the St Rose campus, Rahtelli said.

The Newtown Knights of Columbus offered congratulations to Noah on social media, writing: “We are very pleased to announce that Noah DiNallo was selected by the Knights of Columbus as this year’s CT Youth of the Year! Noah is a well-rounded, humble, intelligent young man and a proven leader. There is no one more deserving of this award than him. Congratulations, Noah!!”