By Sona Hyde
The Port Washington Association of Girl Scouts held their annual Girl Awards at St. Stephen’s on June 6. Donna Ceravolo, CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, attended the ceremony, which honors excellence in Girl Scouting in Port. Thirty Scouts received the highest awards they could earn—Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. For their Bronze Award project, Junior Troop #421 wanted to fill a need that they saw in their parish—items needed to celebrate a child’s birthday. They created birthday bags by asking for donations from each grade at St. Peter’s School. The troop received donations from Saint Vincent de Paul and the Parish Social Ministry that they included in each bag. The girls put together 30 birthday bags and have an another 25 bags that they will fill in the fall.
Junior Troop #436’s Bronze Award project was creating Bottle Treasures for an orphanage in Haiti. The girls collected toys, pencils and stickers they get as favors or from the dentist. The girls chose reusable water bottles to fill with toys to support clean drinking water.
Through a partnership with St. Peter’s School, Cadette Troop #416 assisted special needs children during their religious education for their Silver Award project. Over two years, the girls attended classes and helped the teachers. Cadette Troop #428 helped the personal care pantry at the Lutheran Church. The girls asked for donations of items not covered by public assistance.
Gold Award recipient Olivia Moss’ project, entitled “PassPORT,” is a booklet containing special discounts to Port restaurants. The goal is to encourage families to introduce their children to cultures through food, while supporting local businesses.
Terry Wong, the Port Fall Products chair, presented Shining Star Awards to the top-sellers of Mags & Munchies—Hannah Moleski, Esperanza Cassidy and Katie Mazzei. Lisa Ramos, the Port Cookie chair, presented Shining Star Awards to top cookie sellers—Theresia Rudegeair and Kaitlyn Schechter. A Community Supporter Award was given to Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio for organizing Mock Town Hall meetings. A Community Supporter Award was given to Bill O’Rourke, a volunteer parent of Troop #436. Graduating Senior Scouts from Troops 422 and 427 received gifts from the Port Washington Association. Each girl started as a Daisy and stayed involved through 12th grade. Leaders Raleigh Brown and Fran D’Alessandro were honored for their service leaders and Service Team members. Girl Scouting in Port is partially funded by the Community Chest of Port Washington.
