The Girl Scouts of Nassau County recognized Sarah Maley and Erin Mitchell, seniors at Schreiber High School; and Emily de Reyna, a junior, for earning the Gold Award, the highest and most prestigious award within the Girl Scouts organization.
In order to be eligible for a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must have completed two Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador Journeys, or have already received the Silver Award and completed one additional Journey.
The Gold Award also requires the completion of 80-hours or more of an individual leadership “Take Action” project that makes a sustainable and measurable impact on an important issue or need in the community, and that serves to educate and inspire others in the community.
Earning the Gold Award “is a huge accomplishment and takes a great amount of dedication,” said Donna Ceravolo, chief executive of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County.
Fewer than five percent of all Girl Scouts across the country obtain the award.
Sarah’s Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action Project, “Multi-Cultural Story Time,” was made to enhance the activities in Port Washington that celebrate diversity among youth. Sarah assembled classes in which volunteers and her local library read children books in several languages. Sarah was able to bring children of different cultures together to celebrate the communities diversity and to appreciate one another’s culture.
Erin’s project, “Run 4 Fun,” tackled childhood obesity caused by a sedentary lifestyle. A large amount of children would much rather play video games than exercise daily. Erin’s program encouraged children to get involved with track and field, along with other physical activities.
Erin succeeded in educating her audience on how physical fitness can be very fun and beneficial to their lifestyle. Emily’s project, “Can I Hear You Now?,” educated teachers in the Port Washington school district about the difficulties those with hearing impairments deal with. Emily has given a series of presentations to faculty that provide tips and information on how to better accommodate these students.
Value comes with earning a Gold Award, Ceravolo said. Recipients who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank for their achievements. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships or other recognition to Gold Award recipients.
Notable Gold Award recipients include Jan Hopkins, CNN financial news anchor; and Betsy Boze, president of Kent State University Stark.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County, which calls itself a “leadership development organization,” has almost 20,000 girl and 7,000 adult members across Nassau County.
Girl Scouting “builds girls of courage, confidence and character,” Ceravolo said.
For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts of Nassau County, visit www.gsnc.org or contact Donna Rivera-Downey at 516-741-2550.
