PAL's Night of Champions 2021

Congratulations to Nashua PAL's 2021 Night of Champions Awardees!

Please read ahead to learn more about each awardee, and join us in thanking our Champion sponsors.

(Awardees listed alphabetically by last name; Youth awardees first, followed by adult awardees).

The Night of Champions streamed LIVE! Check it out here:

2021 PAL NPD Explorer of the Year is 17- year-old Nicholas Allard

A rising senior at Alvirne High in Hudson where he frequently earns “high honors”, Nicholas has been an active member of the Nashua Police Department’s Explorer Post since 2018. NPD’s post prides itself of giving back to the community, and Nicholas’s strong belief in this component of Explorer life has made him a leader in this area. He has donated countless hours to the Nashua and Hudson communities, and pitches in on the various community projects and events in which Post Coordinator NPD Officer Patrick Doherty involves the post.

The Police Explorers are a youth organization in the "scouting" tradition, emphasizing law enforcement, for teenagers aged 14-20. The Nashua Police Department's chapter educates area youth about various aspects of police work, focusing both on current community service and future careers in law enforcement. Nashua's Explorers Post, lead by NPD officers and coordinated by Patrolman Patrick Doherty, promotes and strengthens leadership skills, provides character-enhancing instruction, develops life skills, and encourages community involvement.

Also an active member of Alvirne High’s Air Force Junior ROTC program, Nicholas received its American Veterans Award, given periodically to rising high school juniors that show a high level of dedication and commitment to Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.

Other current and recent NPD Explorers have benefited from Nicholas’ strident enthusiasm and dedication to the unit. Recently, Nicholas was selected to serve as the Nashua Police Explorer Post Captain. Nicholas displays the qualities, characteristics, and traits that exemplify the Explorer’s attitude and leadership and service approach to life.

2021 PAL Cheerleader of the Year is 13-year-old Kylee Flynn

A rising eighth grader, Kylee is a frequent honor roll student, and is a flyer on the PAL Force Division 12, Level 3 cheer squad. At age three, Kylee was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She attended elementary school at Broad Street Elementary in Nashua where she started teaching her classmates about diabetes, trying to ensure that her classmates understood her illness. According to Broad St. School Nurse Marsha Peterson, "Kylee is a resilient young lady. She has faced what life dealt her and never let it deter her or change who she is. She is a strong young woman who will do great things."

Introduced to the Nashua PAL Force watching her older brothers play football and her father coach, Kylee started to cheer for NPF in 2016 and has loved it ever since. Coach Mallorie Garcia says that "Kylee sets a good example of how to be a good athlete. She's always on time, always does everything she is asked of, and always puts forth 100% of her effort. She's well liked by all of her peers and coaches, and is kind and respectful to everyone."

Aside from cheer, Kylee greatest love is her big blended family, including seven siblings. She attends the Crossing Life Church in Windham, where she is very active in youth group and attending the church’s Base Camp.

2021 Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year is 14-year-Old Matt Giardina

Matt, a rising freshman at Bishop Guertin High School, most recently ran on the PAL Gate City Striders 13-14 year old squad. He won the New England USA Track and Field Association championship last season, cruising at a 5:18 pace, and posted a new personal record at each successive race during the season. It was his fifth season with the PAL Striders team, having joined the program in the fourth grade.

His coach, Tom Cassetty, says that Matt’s greatest strength as a runner is his remarkable samba, and describes him as “self motivated, goal oriented, and the type of leader who invites teammates.”

Matt pays both guitar and piano, and enjoys outdoor activities that are similar to running such as hiking and biking. He’ll run cross country at Bishop Guertin High School this fall, entering the cross country season as one of the top three freshman runners in the NHIAA.

2021 Jr. PAL of the Year is 15-year-old Junely Grullon

Junely, 15, is a rising junior at Nashua South High School. She was officially designated as a Teen Leader at the PAL Youth Safe Haven on Ash St. when she was 12 years old, technically still a pre-teen, and has thrived in that role. Longtime PAL Program Coordinator Jaela Solis describes her as a “strong leader” of the after-school program.

Junely is a repeat recipient of the Junior PAL of the Year award, having also received the honor in 2016 at age 10, alongside Gate City native and PAL of the Year Mike O’Malley, the noted actor, writer, producer.

At PAL, she is always the first one to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it. Junely always steps up and pitches in to help PAL staff and volunteers with programs, preparing snacks, and taking on other tasks. Junely is bilingual and assists the PAL staff by translating for parents and new PAL members, giving them tours, answering questions, and going over the PAL rules governing behavior and interacting with other members and staff at the Youth Safe Haven. She even manages the Youth Safe Haven reception desk a few days a week to welcome PAL youth members and help them get checked in and settled down to homework before recreation activities. Her openness, acceptance of others, and welcoming nature make her a pleasure to have both in the building and away on field trips and excursions.

At home, Junely helps to look after and care for her younger brother. She has become an avid reader of late and has read over 50 books this year, and aspires to a professional career as a physician or attorney.

Program Coordinator Solis sums up Junely’s time at PAL in this way: “Junely makes my heart smile. I can count on her to step into any leadership role to make a positive contribution and set an excellent example. It’s been an honor to witness and participate in her growth into a capable young woman.”

2021 PAL Football Player of the Year is 13-year-old Jack Krulikowski

Jack, 13, is a rising eighth grader at Pennichuck Middle School where he frequently makes the honor roll. He has been a constant presence at PAL football practices at Artillery Field since he was two years old, watching his older brother play. He started with PAL Force flag football at the age of four and moved to tackle football at seven. He is a starting middle linebacker/defensive end, and also plays guard and tackle for Nashua PAL Force’s 13U squad.

Jack is very focused on health and wellness and on enhancing his performance in each of his sports, including Pennichuck Middle School basketball, and travel basketball and lacrosse with local club teams. He also participates in a local performance enrichment and wellness program (PUSH) where he concentrates on his speed and agility. He recently had the opportunity to travel to Texas and spend a week training at the Michael Johnson Performance Training facility.

Jack is a leader on the field and in his role as middle linebacker, and makes great reads of opposition formations from both sides of the line of scrimmage. He leads by example and is always willing to help his teammates. During the 2019 season he was asked to try kicking, a new and unfamiliar role. He practiced regularly and ultimately earned the kicker position for that season and successfully kicked several PATs. Aside from organized sports, he loves anything outdoors. He loves to ski, fish, kayak and is trying to master the paddleboard.

2021 PAL Boxer of the Year is 16-year-old Jayden Maldonado

Jayden, 16, is a rising junior at Nashua South High School, and competes in the 145-pound Junior Welterweight class for the Nashua PAL Boxing Club team coached by 2019 PAL Coach of the Year Muhammed Brooks. His record stands at 4-1, having recently the won the 145 lb. championship in the New England Silver Mittens tournament.

According to Coach Brooks, Jayden “works hard in the gym and in school, and is a very patient and humble athlete. He’s very coachable and a good listener, constantly displaying determination to master the sport. He has shown quick and steady progress during his two years at the Nashua PAL boxing gym.”

Like many young men his age, Jayden — who was born in New York City but relocated to the Gate City — loves video games. He plans to study and work in the field of architecture, and to compete for a spot on the US Olympic team when he is older after gaining more skills and experience.

2021 PAL Basketball of the Year is 19-year-old Nick Reyes

Reyes, 19, is a 2021 graduate of Nashua South High School. He transferred there after his sophomore year at Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn, New York where he played on the school team. Here in Nashua, he joined the PAL squad playing for 2018 Coach of the Year Jeff Kreick.

Coach Kreick explained that “When Nick first joined the team, he was already one of our best shooters and scorers, but he struggled a bit with my expectations in terms of individual and team defense. Once it clicked for him, he emerged as our team’s leader.”

Nick spent time during his summer after graduation visiting family in the Dominican Republic. Currently employed with DoorDash, Nick lists his interests as “music and basketball,” and his past two seasons with the PAL Gate City Thunder squad as “my best two years ever!” Coach Kreick, Coach Shawn Nieves, and everyone at the PAL St. Pat’s Gym feel the same way about Nick and wish him the best of luck as he makes the transition from student athlete to adult.

2021 PAL Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year is 14-year-old Laura White

Laura discovered her love of running through the PAL Elementary School Cross Country program where she ran for the Charlotte Avenue squad. She joined the PAL Gate City Striders in 2015 at the age of 8. Since then, the PAL Striders have provided her opportunities to compete in five Junior Olympic National races sponsored by USA Track and Field all over the country in New Mexico, Alabama, Florida, Nevada and Wisconsin. These “Nationals” competitions pitted her against the best youth distance runners in the United States, where she made new friends — including a runner from Massachusetts with whom she’ll attend Nike Running Camp this summer — and experienced different communities (and cross country courses!) all over the US.

Running at the national level, Laura learned to push herself to perform in environmental elements beyond her comfort zone (freezing rain, snow, ice, heat and cold, wind and high altitude), and received valuable instruction by a dedicated coaching staff, including Kate Hasychak and 2019 PAL Coach of the Year Judy Boire. Laura describes running as her “happy place," because it provides a setting to achieve “personal bests” in an environment of teamwork and camaraderie.

Laura attended Pennichuck Middle School participating in cross country and spring track where she ran the 800m, the 1600m, and 4x400m relay. She was Pennichuck’s Athlete of the Year in 2021 and also received a statewide Scholar Leader Award. She is a rising freshman at North High where she’ll run cross country as well as winter and spring track.

Laura has three brothers and a dog, memorizes dog breeds and aspires to a career in veterinary science or ethology. She plays the piano, loves to study and speak French, and enjoys reading. She is a licensed soccer referee (and never gets winded running the field), and hopes to continue to run for PAL/Gate City in the high school age divisions.

2021 PAL Coach of the Year is Ben Desfosses

Coach DesFosses was born and raised in Nashua, attending Fairgrounds Elementary, Elm Street Junior High, and Nashua High School (class of 2001) where he played football and lacrosse. Ben graduated with High Honors from the University of New Hampshire where he played rugby, eventually earning Master’s degrees in science and mechanical engineering. He continued his education at Rivier University, adding another Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has worked at BAE Systems in Nashua for over 14 years, currently as BAE’s Hardware Engineering Manager.

Aside from his family, Coach DeFosses loves two things most: contact sports and the City of Nashua, and he has immersed himself in both. He often refers to the life lessons he gained playing football. He started with the PAL Force program coaching in its flag football program, and then accepted the position of Head Coach of the 8U tackle football team. His squad went undefeated on the 2019 season and won the NHYFSC 8U Super Bowl.

When Covid cancelled the 2020 football season, Coach DesFosses took on a new challenge as the Assistant Coach of Elm Street Middle School volleyball team (head coached by Ben’s wife, Cassandra). He also coaches Nashua Park Rec and travel baseball and basketball teams, and founded Nashua’s first youth rugby program.

Coach Ben and Cassandra have two children, teenager Johanna and ten year-old Leo, both active in youth sports and other activities. Like most youth coaches, his busy life includes a challenging career, family life, responding to parent emails and counseling the athletes he coaches. In Coach DesFosses’ own words, he is “particularly proud to be involved with Nashua PAL, with its strong policy making participation available to all kids, regardless of challenging or difficult family or economic circumstances.”

2021 PAL Volunteer of the Year is Nashua Police Lt. Carlos Camacho

Lieutenant Camacho is a familiar face both at the Nashua Futsal Court across Ash Street from the PAL Youth Safe Haven, and the PAL Gym at St. Patrick’s Center with entrances on Spring Street and Main Street. Whether he is coaching and playing in a futsal game, recruiting other officers to help coach and officiate in the PAL/ BGCGN Middle School Street Hockey League, or leading a fishing outing, he always seems to make time for the PAL kids.

“The great thing about Carlos is that he treats every kid equally,” says Youth Safe Haven Program Coordinator Jaela Solis. “Whether a kid comes to play with all the equipment, or in a dirty shirt and flip flops, he treats them with respect and care, giving all of the kids his best, both in terms of coaching and caring.” PAL Officer Ben Stusse says that he “can’t think of a single occasion where the Lieutenant has turned me down when I’ve asked him for assistance or a hand with any large or small project. He especially pitched in on our recent
Building on Hope renovation project.”

As a US Coast Guard veteran and career police officer with nearly 20 years on the force, the lieutenant is not only an exemplary civil servant, he is civic minded. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, and is a member of the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus.

Fluent in Spanish, Lt. Camacho is a Coordinator for NPD’s Mirror Project, which (much like PAL) builds bridges between Nashua’s youth and its police department. As a Cultural Diversity Instructor, he has facilitated numerous “Community Conversations” in the city, connecting its law enforcement, youth, and refugee populations.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester honoree Lieutenant Camacho with its first annual Saint Michael Award in 2015, and in 2018, the Nashua Telegraph named him Nashua’s favorite police officer in its annual Best of Nashua feature.

Lieutenant Camacho lives in Pelham, with his wife, Mano, and his two teenaged daughters, both of whom have volunteered with Nashua PAL.

2021 PAL Night of Champions Emcee - Jonathan Marshall

WMUR Channel 9’s newest sports anchor, Jonathan Marshall will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the 2021 PAL Night of Champions.

Event emcee, Jonathan Marshall, joined WMUR in August as a sports reporter and anchor. He most recently worked for Fox 13 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he covered the NBA Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis basketball and football, in addition to high school sports and local news. Prior to his time in Memphis, he worked at WDAM in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he covered high school sports and the University of Southern Mississippi. He started his career at a newspaper, working at the Abilene Reporter-News in Abilene, Texas, as the beat reporter for Wylie High School and Hardin-Simmons University. He graduated from Lincoln (PA) University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and graduated with a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University. A Philadelphia native raised in Delaware, Marshall loves to play basketball and work out, and all things competitive.