Gregory Carter

"I will never forget nine years ago - my mother's friend Muriel Holmes Moore signed me up for boxing training. Mrs. Moore figured that I needed something to keep me out of trouble and at the same time, something to teach me discipline. Mrs. Moore took me to the Waterbury Police Athletic League, where I began to compete all over the United States at a young age. During that time, Willie Ramos Sr., director of P.A.L, Tuffy Gregory, head trainer, and Ray Doughty, assistant trainer, were not just employees of PAL - they were role models. They motivated me to do well in the gym and also in the classroom. They always reminded me that I was a student athlete and this meant that being a winner in the ring means being a winner in the classroom. Now, as I look back, I can say that being a good student as well as a good athlete pays off. Today, I am a member of the United States Olympic Education Center boxing team in Marquette, MI and I am currently ranked number three in the country. Waterbury P.A.L has been a major influence on me and my career."

Chris Ortiz

"I was first introduced to PAL's programs in the spring of 1992. I was a junior at Crosby High School and actively involved in their sports programs. PAL has a traveling basketball team, and I took advantage of this opportunity. Playing with this team gave me the chance to travel to different parts of the state and play. That year, our team competed in the national tournament which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exposure to sports at this level intrigued me and gave me the focus to push myself athletically.

While attending college and playing football at Southern Connecticut State University, I spent summers volunteering in some of the summer leagues. This fall, I volunteered for PAL and coached my son's flag football team. The principals and ideals that PAL instilled in me allowed me to effectively work with him and his teammates.

After graduating from Southern Connecticut, I played professional football. I have also played arena football and was in the XFL football league. My career has now changed. I am currently teaching Spanish at Sacred Heart High School. I not only coach PAL's flag team, I am also the assistant coach of Sacred Heart High School's football team. I continue to use PAL's influence when guiding the minds of my students and players. I want to make them aware that they can succeed at anything and accomplish all that they strive for with consistent effort. This is what PAL has taught me."