Kathryn Sporing incorporated her love for the sport into her project, "Girls LAX Clinics." With the help of her PAL coaches and her lacrosse teammates, Sporing offered a free clinic to girls in grades three through six. Her project was such a success there is now a third through sixth grade lacrosse team in Oceanside. Katie is a sophomore at Oceanside High School where she dabbles in photography, gymnastics and plays Lacrosse. She is also involved with her church's Youth Ministry, RAP, and she coaches PAL Girls Lacrosse and plays for the Liberty LAX.
Sarah Ross motivated the senior youth group at her church to create bulletin boards as well as various art projects to decorate the halls of the church and the senior youth room. She personally created a large painting for that room. With help from her family, her Girl Scout Leader and other community members, Ross's "UUCCN Beautification Project" inspired her and other members of her congregation to continue improving the décor of the church. She is a sophomore at South Side High School where she is a member of Art Club, Amnesty International and Film Club. Ross also plays piano, loves to paint, is part of Girl Scouts of Nassau County's Way to Art program and is a member of the UUCCN Youth Service Committee.
Kaitlin Goards named her project "Moving Whale Bones." Her project allowed her to move and clean a fin whale skull, research and develop the explanation materials on the fin whale and construct a rope and pole barrier for the skull to be exhibited at the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach State Park. Goards is proud the exhibit is now the showcase to the entrance of the Nature Center, and she knows that her work benefits the Nature Center and its visitors, as well as the students and professionals who helped her develop the project and do the work. Goards is a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School where she is active in Sodality, the Leaders Club, the National Honor Society, Blue and Gold and is a SMART tutor. She works as a birthday party supervisor for the Rockville Centre Recreation Department. Kaitlin will attend Mount St. Mary College in the fall.
Catherine Bucara wanted to encourage younger children, especially girls, to become more interested in science. Through a series of workshops that incorporated fun and exciting activities, she and a group of other teenage girls led more than 100 children in "Science Day" activities. The groups she targeted were girls from Rockville Centre, including girls from an after school program held at the Hispanic Counseling Center. Her "Science Days" enabled all who attended to have fun with science through hands-on activities. Bucara is a Junior at Sacred Heart Academy where she is a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society, Math Team, Irish Club, newspaper staff, and Soccer Team. She also serves her community by coordinating an annual parish school supply drive, as an altar server, library volunteer/intern and Little League umpire.
Danielle Amisano wanted to bridge the generation gap and bring mothers and daughters together. In a project titled "Crocheting 101: Bridging the Generations", Amisano not only found a venue for mothers and daughters to work together, she also supplied Winthrop University Hospital with 100 baby hats. She had to first learn how to crochet so she could teach those who didn't know how to crochet. Enlisting the help of local merchants, family and friends, she exceeded her original goal to make 80 infant hats. Amisano is a 2005 graduate of Oceanside High School and is now a freshman at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She is a former member of the Key Club and participated in Sports Night during high school. She was also involved in dance and participated in dance competitions. She is now part of her university's College Ballroom Dance Competition Team.
"We are so truly proud of our Girl Scouts who have earned this honor," said Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of GSNC. "This is the largest number of recipients we have had in Girl Scouts of Nassau County history!"
On June 4, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County honored Senior Girl Scouts between the ages of 16 and 18 at a special ceremony held at SUNY Old Westbury. The following day, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi presented the girls, along with their Eagle Scout Award counterparts from Boy Scouts, with certificates for their achievements at the Cradle of Aviation. Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, along with this year's Eagle Scouts, were also recognized by Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray on June 10 at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve.
"Girl Scouts who achieve the Gold Award demonstrate character and perseverance as well as impeccable time management and organizational skills. They have joined an elite group of American women who are part of the Girl Scouts of the USA's Gold Award Alliance," said Ms Ceravolo.
The Gold Award project helps Senior Girl Scouts develop leadership skills and explore career paths. Overall, the Gold Award requires a commitment of three years on the part of each young woman. It affords the teen the opportunity to learn about arts and humanities, cultural and global relations, personal well-being, technology and science, and any one of the innumerable issues facing young women today.
