Marulis Earns Gold Award for Summer Cancer Walk

Facing her mother’s battle with cancer, Kalene Rose Marulis, a senior at in Oradell, decided to organize a for her Girl Scout Gold Award leadership project.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn and requires the completion of a project of at least 80 hours. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to affect positive change. The project should both reflect the girl’s passions and interests and fulfill a need in the community.

Kalene’s project benefitted Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey, a nonprofit providing support and resources for cancer patients.

“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer as I entered high school,” said Marulis. “I felt like she changed the world by being courageous every day and she is now a member of Gilda’s Club. When I began planning my project, I knew I wanted it to benefit their organization.” 

Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey was impressed by Kalene’s enthusiasm and passion. 

“During our first meeting about the project, it became clear that Kalene wanted to make a big impact on her community and was going to put her heart and soul into her project,” said Brook Laster, a social worker for Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey. “The walk was a great way to get the word out about Gilda’s Club NNJ and a way to let people know that no one has to face cancer alone. I was most impressed by Kalene’s ability to rally her friends, classmates, neighbors and family.” 

Kalene enlisted the help of Teens Against Cancer of to assist with the Cancer Survivors Day Walk. The focus of the event was to raise awareness of the services provided by Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey. 

“Gilda’s Club ensures that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community,” said Marulis. “I’ve learned that you cannot give up and become discouraged. After the walk, many members contacted me and thanked me for making the event possible.” 

Kalene spent more than 140 hours in total on this project. She says earning her Girl Scout Gold Award was the proudest moment of her life and Girl Scouting has prepared her for whatever the future brings. 

“Being a Girl Scout has taught me to be organized and prepare for my future,” she said. “Girl Scouts has truly made me a happier person in a healthy environment.” 

At school, Kalene is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Teens Against Cancer, Global Connections, and Interact, a service club. She also participates in varsity track and swimming. She has been a competitive dancer since she was three years old. Kalene has been a Girl Scouts since kindergarten. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, combines leadership development, career exploration and community service. It culminates in an 80-hour leadership project that each girl plans and executes according to her own interests and passions. Within Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, 12 percent of eligible girls earn their Girl Scout Gold Award, compared to the national average of five percent.