2012 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients Honored

HALFMOON, NY (06/05/2012)(readMedia)-- The Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York

(GSNENY) Gold Award Ceremony was held on May 20, 2012 at Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant in Saratoga Springs NY. Over 180 guests were in attendance to honor 32 out of the 40 girls who received their award that day. The event was also attended by special guest speaker, Ms. Kelly Lynch, who spoke of her own experiences as a Girl Scout and the courage she derived from the experiences she participated in. Mr. Dante Orsini, from the Gerald BH Solomon Freedom Foundation spoke briefly about the foundation, and every Gold Award recipient was presented with a $250.00 check totaling $10,000.

The Gold Award Ceremony was sponsored by Stuyvesant Plaza/The Swyer Companies. Additional support came from the following organizations: American Legion Post #219, Rotary Club of Malone, Watervliet Elks Lodge #1500, Glens Falls Elks #81, Malone Elks Lodge and the Catskill Elks Lodge #1341.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that a Girl Scout aged 14-18 may earn. Since 1916, it has stood for excellence and leadership. Nationally, only 6% of Girl Scouts eligible actually earn the Gold Award.

The Gold Award process starts with a girl selecting an issue for her project that she is passionate about. It must also fulfill a need within her community, create change and achieves sustainable and measurable impact. As an example, Sierra Alexis Pizzola created the Diamond Strong program for the Schodack Central School District because each year budget cuts jeopardize the viability of athletic programs, maintenance of athletic facilities and instructional clinics for schools. The project included a softball development clinic and field renovations to Maple Hill Varsity Softball field addressing safety issues and improvements for the field to be a resource for the community for years to come. The involvement of the community has led to a long term commitment from the Booster Club and School to continue in the upkeep and usage of the field. The closing line of the memory book for this project sums up the perseverance behind this Gold Award Project and many others, "Never let the fear of striking out, and keep you from playing the game....."

Every girl should be proud of her extraordinary accomplishment and demonstrated leadership. Below are the names of every Gold Award recipient by town, county and the name of her Take Action Project:

Alyssa Jaquinto, Albany, Albany, Monument Garden

Beverly Kemp, Averill Park, Rensselaer, Sand Lake Bicentennial Documentation

Alaina Yonkers, Averill Park, Rensselaer, Sand Lake Bicentennial Documentation

Rebecca Zaremba, Averill Park, Rensselaer, Sand Lake Bicentennial Documentation

Samantha Burgess, Bloomingdale, Essex, Crafty Kindergarten Creations

Beth Nelson, Bloomingdale, Essex, Crafty Kindergarten Creations

Kassidy Carney, Castleton, Rensselaer, Soles for Souls

Anna Curtin, Castleton, Rensselaer, Key Club Volunteer Guide Book

Sierra Alexis Pizzola, Castleton, Rensselaer, Diamond Strong

Paulina Pascual, Clifton Park, Saratoga, Clifton Park-Halfmoom Library Videos

Brianne Schofield, Clifton Park, Saratoga, Improvement of Collins Park

Emily Christian, Delmar, Albany, Thousand Book Project

Danielle Clifford, Esperance, Schoharie, Mental Health Awareness

Brianna Arnold, Galway, Saratoga, Great Greens for Galway

Caitlin Herren, Gansevoort, Saratoga, Children & STEM Learning

Lauren Ketring, Gansevoort, Saratoga, Healthy Diet & Exercise

Danyelle Ketring, Gansevoort, Saratoga, Healthy Diet & Exercise

Grace Segrave, Gansevoort, Saratoga, Taking a look Back

Sydney Peterson, Glenmont, Albany, Butterfly Garden

Elizabeth Person, Gloversville, Fulton, Saving the Willie Marshland

Mary Grace Piazza, Gloversville, Fulton, Saving the Willie Marshland

Sarah Vanderzyden, Hudson Falls, Washington, Hudson Falls Library Reconstruction Project

Christine Choi, Latham, Albany, Korean School Yearbook

Rebecca Buono, New Baltimore, Greene, Beautification of a Classroom

Elizabeth Parizh, Niskayuna, Schenectady, "Do it Write" workshops

Shannon Trant, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Sewing Smiles

Kylie Julian, Ravena, Albany, Beautification of a Classroom

Jena Nunziato, Ravena, Albany, Warmth & Comfort for Our Veterans

Amelia Jenks, Saranac, Clinton, Dream Away Pillowcases

Chloe Boutelle, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, Raising Awareness of Afghan Women

Rebecca Chillrud, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, Raising Awareness of Afghan Women

Hannah Gebhard, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, Elementary School Music Awareness Program

Emily Walton, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, Raising Awareness of Afghan Women

Abby Wise, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, Raising Awareness of Afghan Women

Christiana St. Dennis, Schuylerville, Saratoga, Tree Benches for Hudson Crossing Park

Ashley St. Dennis, Schuylerville, Saratoga, Chemo Caps & lap Blankets for Cancer Patients

Marlene Beaton, Scotia, Schenectady, Peaceful Acres: People and Horses Healing Together

Erin Donaldson, Vermontville, Franklin, Crafty Kindergarten Creations

Ashley Bloomfield, West Stephentow, Rensselaer, Sand Lake Bicentennial Documentation

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Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York serves 11,000 girls and 5,000 volunteers throughout 15 counties: Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Washington, Warren, Hamilton, Essex, Franklin & Clinton. Service Centers are located in Albany, Queensbury and Plattsburgh with an administrative office in Halfmoon.

Posted Tuesday June 05, 2012 at 08:00 pm by Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York