Kids these days. It’s a common refrain with each generation. Google defines this effect as: “The incorrect belief that children in the present are substantively different and necessarily worse than children a generation or two ago.” Even Google knows that it’s a myth, but we have gone a step further and ventured out into our community to prove that kids these days are, in fact, exceptional. Well, at least ten of them are (plus a bunch more who would have made the cut if we were featuring twenty or thirty of Westport, Weston and Wilton’s finest young folks).
Staples High School, Weston High School, Wilton High School, Greens Farms Academy, Fairfield Prep, St. Luke’s, King School and Wooster School submitted their most impressive upperclassmen from our towns, and the pool is brimming and bright with: nationally ranked athletes, political prodigies, environmental stewards, award-winning artists, published writers, multilingual phenoms, school ambassadors and budding medical researchers. Each of our finalists juggles a mind-boggling schedule of academic and extracurricular activities, and every last one is a compassionate human being who proves KIDS THESE DAYS ARE AWESOME.
BRENNAN FILA
St. Luke’s
Senior Brennan Fila is a standout athlete at St. Luke’s, an enthusiastic student and a role model to the young hockey players he works with as a volunteer coach.
“I have been playing ice hockey since I was just four,” says Brennan. “It has guided me throughout most of my childhood and shaped me into the person I am today. The sport has taught me many life lessons and has opened up so many opportunities for me.” Brennan has played five years of varsity hockey and four years of varsity baseball. On the baseball team, he plays both outfield and first base as well as serving as a relief pitcher. “I have gained so much experience and created so many friends and connections from these two sports,” he comments. “Being a part of these two teams has been an overall great experience. I’ve also been honored to be elected captain the past two years for the hockey team, and being in this role on the team has taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader.” With Brennan’s leadership, the hockey team competed in the FAA Tournament, and he earned All-League honors for the 2023–2024 season.
Brennan shares his love of ice hockey with younger students. He serves as a mentor, helping with the St. Luke’s Hockey Buddy Program. Brennan and his hockey team organized a hockey equipment drive benefitting Hockey Haven, a nonprofit dedicated to making the sport more accessible. Since his freshman year, Brennan has also volunteered with the Ridgefield Amateur Hockey Association, assisting with youth hockey camps as well as teaching and coaching young hockey players.
At St. Luke’s, Brennan is a member of the Building For Nonprofits Club. Last December, he helped create handmade gifts for children to give to their parents for the holidays.
Brennan’s teachers describe him as an intelligent, wonderfully warm and respectful student, who brings a calming, positive energy to class. “I am hoping to pursue a career in the world of business once I graduate college,” says Brennan. “ I am especially interested in economics and financial technologies. I also hope to continue studying French in college, as this senior year will be my ninth year learning the language.”
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What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?
Switching schools during Covid. I applied and got accepted into St. Luke’s in late 2019 right before Covid struck. Switching from a new school in eighth grade on top of the changes Covid brought to all schools was a large adjustment for me. Despite the social constraints Covid posed, St. Luke’s was very welcoming, and I made friends quickly. On top of this, St. Luke’s handled Covid very well, and even when we were forced to go remote, the quality of the classes did not suffer.
What would you tell your freshman self?
If I could talk to my freshman self, I would commend him for prioritizing my close circle of friends from my prior school. I value these friendships very much, and I am grateful that I have been able to maintain them despite the constraints of going to different schools.
Which teacher had the biggest impact on you?
I have had many amazing teachers at St. Luke’s, but Mr. Murphy is one teacher who has made a huge impact on me. He is my advisor, history teacher and my hockey coach, so I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him. This past year especially, he has really pushed me to become the best version of myself in and out of the classroom. He is always available to meet whether I need help with a paper or I just want to chat. He is definitely a role model of mine and someone I hope to keep in touch with in the future.
Words to live by?
A sense of humor will get you far in life.