The Heart of the Depot: Janice Marzano
NEIRAD enilno edition
Whether making The Depot an exciting atmosphere for teens or serving smiles as the cheerful lunch lady from your childhood, Janice Marzano has been influencing the lives of Darien kids from more than 20 years. Every day, she looks forward to helping the kids of Darien make healthy choices and watching them grow into mature students.
Ms.Marzano is the program director of The Depot. Ever since she took on the role, she has been creating a fun and substance-free environment for teens to hang out. “We make the Depot is a welcoming place for kids to go, where they’re safe, un-judged, and can just be themselves. Anyone can just walk in the door—we’re here even if you just need a hug,” Ms.Marzano said.
She oversees programs such as the Student Governing Board, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Cop Shop, and Girls Night Out. These programs encourage kids to strive for success and be active members of their community. “Janice is the heart of the Depot, and she really enjoys getting involved in our town. She is also one of the most caring people I have ever met, and I know, as a part of the Student Governing Board, she loves working with kids to make the town more fun and safe,” sophomore Phoebe Cush said.
Major upcoming events for January include a Girls Night Out dinner regarding the “Habits of Successful People,” a CSI: Darien presentation, the Winter Sports Captains’ Dinner, a Movie & Popcorn night, and Improvisation with Barry.
Ms.Marzano’s favorite part about organizing the programs is being able to know that she has made a difference by providing kids with knowledge and emotional support. She strongly believes that all kids are good, regardless of their choices, and deserve a second chance to create prosperous futures.
“Janice just honestly cares. She is the reason why I got started with the Depot and I can't thank her enough. She is probably the most influential person in my life right now, and is truly incredible,” senior Kristi Carey said.
Ms.Marzano is a role model for each student, and plays an active role in the Darien community. For the past 20 years, she has been working with TOPS to organize youth events. Many times, teens do not feel comfortable with their parents breaking up a conflict or inappropriate behavior when supervising a dance. Her position involves supervising events to ensure that the dances are a safe and alcohol free place to have fun. The most challenging yet rewarding aspect of working with teens in a supervisory role is making sure that everyone is having a great time, with safety as a top priority.
Her impact has not been overlooked by the Darien community. In 1997, she won the Unsung Hero for her outstanding dedication and performance for work. That same year, she was also awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Darien Police Dept for her excellent promotion of teen safety. She was also named the 2005 Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce for her efforts and dedicated service to Darien.
Her accomplishments do not end there. She also received the honor of leading the 2000 Memorial Day parade as the grand marshal. Ms.Marzano takes pride in these achievements, and they constantly remind her of her goal: to make Darien a safe place for kids to grow up.
As much as the children of Darien have benefited from Ms.Marzano’s guidance, she is equally impacted by the kids. During her time as the manager cook at Holmes Elementary School, she went beyond her job requirements and bonded with each student. Every day, the students brought a smile to her face just by being light-hearted children. She loved watching them laugh and made nutrition fun by encouraging them to drink skim milk, which she called “muscle milk.”
Her prized possession is book given to her from the students called “Our Favorite Things about Ms. Janice.” It is a collection of notes and drawing from each student expressing their love and appreciation for Ms.Marzano. When sharing this book, her eyes brighten with joy. There is no doubt that she adores each and every child. “This book is my treasure because it’s from the kids and reminds me of them. It’s my treasure, and if there were a fire and I had to run out of my house, I would grab this,” Ms.Marzano said.
Ms.Marzano is the type of person that lights up a room as soon as she walks in. She truly cares for the kids of Darien and wants them to capture every opportunity. Creating an exciting place for teens to have fun, she continues to make Darien a safe community by spreading her positive attitude. Ms.Marzano has influenced the lives of numerous students for the better.
