Even a global pandemic during their late middle school and early high school years couldn’t stop these 10 teens from showing us their capacity for overcoming adversity to excel in the arts, academics, athletics and so much more. Come meet the multi-hyphenates (entrepreneur/rower/debater! scientist/dancer/class president!) who represent the best of Stamford’s next generation. This year’s group of talented young people impressed us by how they made their mark being true to themselves, leaning into their personal interests to shine. If there is a through line that connects them all, it is an authenticity that seems to belie their age. No matter our own stage of life, we all have a lot to learn from and be inspired by their passion and determination. We look forward to watching their stories unfold. This is simply the first act.
See the rest of this year’s Stamford Teens to Watch.
Elly FOX
Stamford High School and the U.S. Naval Academy
Public service is in recent Stamford High School graduate Elly Fox’s DNA. The standout Black Knight runner, student journalist and volunteer hails from a family committed to the community. Her mom, Bridget, is Mayor Caroline Simmons chief of staff. Dad Dan is a former state representative and current State Superior Court Judge.
Fox answered a demanding call to serve, when she began the notoriously grueling plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, this summer.
Fox’s four years at Annapolis will be followed by a required six years of service upon graduation. “My first reaction when someone suggested [it] was, ‘No way, I’m not going into the military,’” she says, with a laugh. “But the more I did my research, the more I realized this could be an incredible opportunity to learn and do things I might not have access to any other way. I’m incredibly honored to serve.”
Going the distance is second nature for Fox. When she started running in middle school to stay in shape for another passion, competitive Irish step dancing, she was among the slowest athletes. “I couldn’t even run a seven-or eight-minute mile,” she says. Determined, she worked her way up in the state rankings, excelling in distance events for Stamford High’s girls track and field and cross-country teams, serving as a captain of both. The exceptional student also received FCIAC Scholar/Athlete honors for both sports.
Balancing the rigors of distance running with a challenging course load wasn’t easy. “Running is a two-hour practice and you’re exerting your body so much you’re exhausted,” she says. “It’s a lot of toll on your body and you’re thinking, ‘How am I going to get enough hours of sleep?’ ”
Still, Fox made time to volunteer and serve as multimedia editor of the award-winning student newspaper, The Roundtable. “I think the real benefit for me was connecting with students who had different interests than I do, like the kids in theater or jazz band,” she says.
She also logged copious service hours at Soundwaters and supporting seniors living at New Canaan’s Waveny Care Center “I had a lot going on, but I always looked forward to my visits,” she says.
Right before graduation, Fox was already prepping for military training by rising early for hard core workouts that included running, swimming, pushups and pullups. “They say the whole point of plebe summer is to break you down,” she says. “So, I want to be as ready as I can.”
POP QUIZ
What is your dream job?
“There’s something interesting to me about the CIA, but I would also love to be chief of something at the White House.”