July 30, 2014
SOUTHBURY — The Watermark at East Hill retirement community in Southbury has announced that Darius Kot, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at E.C. Goodwin Vocational Technical High School in New Britain, has been named as the community’s fifth Watermark Kid.
Watermark for Kids is an organization that empowers youth to build character, strengthen their leadership skills and express their creativity, compassion and spirit.
Watermark residents and associates select a young man or woman for the honor, and provide support and encouragement as their Watermark Coach.
Darius’ coach was Melody Floyd, community life director at The Watermark.
Watermark for Kids provided Darius, an avid basketball fan and player, with the opportunity to attend this year’s Kevin Ollie Basketball Camp.
The Watermark at East Hill retirement community in Southbury has named Darius Kot (right), the community’s fifth Watermark Kid. Each year, Watermark residents and associates select a young man or woman to sponsor, and provides them with access to opportunities and programs they may have had difficulty obtaining otherwise. Darius was provided with sports equipment and the chance to attend Kevin Ollie’s (left) basketball camp at the UConn Storrs campus.
Each summer, students in grades 4 through 12 attend the overnight camp at the UConn campus in Storrs.
Watermark for Kids also provided Darius with new athletic wear, sneakers and a gym bag.
“Darius went through a very tough year with the unexpected death of his stepfather this past winter,” Ms. Floyd said.
“We were so happy to be able to provide him with the week of fun up at UConn and look forward to him visiting The Watermark to show off his new and improved basketball skills.”
The Watermark at East Hill launched its local chapter of Watermark for Kids in 2010.
Since then, four other young people from New Milford, Waterbury, Newtown and Torrington have been named “Watermark Kids” and have received admission to the National Boy Scout Jamboree, new bedroom furniture, musical instruments and horseback riding lessons.
Watermark for Kids is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Tucson, Arizona-based Watermark Retirement Communities.