The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore celebrated the accomplishments of local Girl Scouts in Monmouth and Ocean counties at the Gold Award Ceremony on May 25th at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood. More than 40 girls received the Gold Award, the highest achievement a teen Girl Scout can receive.
Courtney Licata from Rumson designed and painted an inspirational mural in one of the rooms at the Matawan YMCA. The room is used as a classroom where kids with substance abuse problems attend a counseling program. The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Student learned that by talking to others about her project, she became creatively inspired. She also learned that she can appreciate the contributions of others on many different levels.
As part of the Gold Award process, each recipient is required to utilize their leadership skills to address and raise awareness of a specific issue within her community. This year’s projects included the creation of a mobile media station at a local school, a collection of used prom dresses for those that cannot afford them, a horse rescue expo, senior citizen assistance and care, and many more.
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“All of these girls should be very proud of themselves,” said Jenny Cody, senior director, program services for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. “Each girl developed a unique project based on local needs and issues. Not only have they made an impact on their fellow peers, family and friends, but the effort and time put in to these projects will have a lasting effect on the community.”
The Gold Award program is designed to help girls ages 14-18 create a foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. Although referred to as an award, the Gold Award is earned, not given, and is not easily attained. Each recipient must spend at least 65 hours completing a project that combines organizational, leadership and networking skills with community service. The girl must feel passionate about the project in thought, deed and execution. Additionally, the project should have a lasting impact on the girl’s community that ideally will continue even after her involvement ends.
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For more information about the Girl Scout Gold Award, visit www.girlscoutsjs.org/gold or call (800) 785-2090, ext. 220.
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore is proud to share the unique projects of each 2011 Gold Award recipient.
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