Everett man hopes to back local youth with non-profit

The ‘Lettermen’ will work to foster teen ties

‘Everett has a special place in my heart.’ – Ross Pietrantonio

  An effort is now being made in Everett to improve the climate for city’s youth.

Some might say the effort will be a welcome change.

  “The Lettermen” is a new group that aims to raise scholarship money for Everett High School athletes and band members. Everett’s Ross Pietrantonio, along with his other contemporaries, has created the nonprofit group.

  “The city has changed drastically,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t have the support system I had when I grew up. The idea is just building more support in the city.”

  The goal, according to Pietrantonio, is to have 50 members sign up the first year and as many as 200 the second year.

  Pietrantonio is known for being a member of the winning Everett High School football team that claimed three consecutive titles from 2001-2003.

  Named captain of the Crimson Tide his senior year, Pietrantonio believes he knows something about leadership.

  The aim of The Lettermen is to foster engagement in youth sports, with a stress on mental health awareness and mentorship. The effort will strive to connect Everett residents and students.

  “There’s just a really big division between the city and the school system,” said Pietrantonio. He added the city needs to also devote more time and energy to the School Department’s Arts Department and its STEM program.

  “I think we need to stop dividing us,” Pietrantonio said. “There’s been a shadow hanging over Everett for the past few years. I want to bring people together for a positive impact.”

  Part of the effort being made includes honoring a former teammate who died suddenly a month ago. Matarazzo was also a friend of Pietrantonio.

  A “Celebration of Life” in Matarazzo’s honor will be held on July 7 at the Village Bar and Grill in Everett.

  “Everyone is welcome,” said Pietrantonio, adding fundraising efforts at the gathering will back a scholarship in Michael J. Matarazzo’s name. Between 100-150 people are expected to attend.

  Matarazzo was a running back, wide receiver and safety for Everett High.

  “I had the privilege of playing with him,” said Pietrantonio. “He was quiet, on time and he was a dependable person. He was just a really good kid. “It’s the least we can do for him.”

Everett born and bred

  Pietrantonio was born and raised in Everett. He tried his hand at politics in the city, running for a Ward 6 seat on the Everett City Council last year but ended up losing his bid during the November 2021 election.

  Now, he wants to help his fellow residents in a different way. He wants young people in the city to have the same kind of opportunities he once had.

  “I want to make sure the seniors do what they want to do,” said Pietrantonio. “To see the development of these seniors is impressive.”

  The 2004 Everett High School graduate said young people in Everett need role models.

  “It’s more people my age,” he said. “We need more participants. That’s what’s lacking. The question is who is going to take the reins?

“Change starts with you.”

  Pietrantonio, worked in technology sales for about 10 years but he is now connected to the youth of Everett, coaching football as an assistant at Everett High School under Robert DiLoreto. He also teaches as a permanent substitute at the school.

  One thing that’s needed in Everett, Pietrantonio said, is a facility akin to a youth center or a Boys & Girls Club. He would like to see a central gathering facility created that fosters both sports and the arts.

  “That’s what I’ve been preaching,” he said. “I don’t think we’re doing enough. That (could) play a big role. There’s nothing for kids to do in the city.”

  Pietrantonio’s ties to Everett include his parents, a brother and sister and he is father to his 3-year-old daughter. The family has long had a footprint in Everett, including owning McCormack’s Liquors on Hancock Street.

  “Everett is a special place,” he said. “I just want to see it get back to where it was 15 to 20 years ago. Everett has a special place in my heart.”

Providing role models

  Pietrantonio said Everett is facing a problem with too few mentors and too few role models; something that can be partially fixed by The Lettermen.

  “I think that’s significantly lacking now,” he said. “Giving back matters. Giving back feeds my soul.”

  Pietrantonio said he wants to strengthen the role the family plays in raising kids in Everett. But he said the effort should take some time.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said.

  Part of the work to be done will include the solicitation of donations from business leaders.

“I’m not afraid to ask for money and ask for their time,” Pietrantonio said. “We want (The Lettermen) to be a positive influence of giving back. Everything is not going to be handed to you. You have to work for it.”

  Another piece of the puzzle includes improving voter participation, Pietrantonio said, adding of the approximately 22,000 registered voters in Everett, only 3,000 and 4,000 show up to vote.

  “I think there’s a real disconnect with the way the community has changed,” he said. “With the old Everett, no one wants to change. But the city has changed. I don’t think we’ve caught up with the changes.”

  But the right candidates must be chosen for available municipal seats in Everett, Pietrantonio said.

“It’s been a popularity contest, as far as who gets in,” he said. “Why don’t we take a step back and really get to know the participants for who they are?”

  While he lost out on his bid to earn a seat on the city council, Pietrantonio still believes in his old campaign slogan – “Change starts with you.”

  “I think you can follow that with anything in life,” he said. “I believe that 100 percent. We need to come out and vote. We need more applicants to run for these positions and to understand and learn.”