Lynbrook Girl Scouts earn Gold Award for community service projects

Posted Friday, July 31, 2026 11:54 am

Girl Scouts from across Nassau County, including Lynbrook residents Elizabeth C. and Lyla G., were recognized during the 2026 Gold Award Ceremony at The Inn at New Hyde Park after earning the organization’s highest honor for community service and leadership.

Photos courtesy Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Elizabeth C. of Lynbrook received the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project, “Mental Health and Exercise: Recreational Running,” which promotes mental wellness and recreational running opportunities for teenage girls.

Lyla G. of Lynbrook earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor, for her project, “Bright Beginnings: Supporting NICU Graduates,” which provides graduation boxes and handmade keepsakes for families leaving neonatal intensive care units.

By Kayla Dechter

Two Lynbrook teenagers were among 67 young women across Nassau County to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award this year, the organization’s highest honor recognizing projects that create lasting change in their communities.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County honored Lynbrook residents Elizabeth C. and Lyla G. during the 2026 Gold Award Ceremony at The Inn at New Hyde Park.

Elizabeth earned the award for her project, “Mental Health and Exercise: Recreational Running,” which addressed the lack of recreational sports opportunities for teenage girls. She established a running club focused on promoting mental wellness and a growth mindset, while also creating digital resources to expand the program’s reach.

Lyla received the Gold Award for “Bright Beginnings: Supporting NICU Graduates,” a project that provides graduation boxes filled with handmade keepsakes for families leaving neonatal intensive care units. The initiative also recognizes siblings, who are often overlooked during long NICU stays, and will continue through partnerships with hospitals and her school’s Fiber Arts Club.

The Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouts and is awarded to girls in grades 9 through 12 who identify a community issue, lead a team and develop a sustainable solution that continues to make an impact after the project is complete.

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