Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways announces 18 girls from its council territory have earned the prestigious Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. Since 1916, the Girl Scout Gold Award has stood for excellence and leadership. Over the course of the last century, millions of Girl Scouts have positively impacted their communities and the world with creative, impactful and sustainable Take Action projects.
- The Marie Hepworth Scholarship ($5,000) was presented to Veronica Ricketson of Nichols for her project, Nichols Hometown Heroes. Ms. Hepworth dedicated her life to supporting girl development through her 20-plus years serving as executive director of GSNYPENN legacy council Indian Hills and various volunteer activities in Johnson City.
GSNYPENN Gold Award Girl Scouts
- Erin Perry of Johnson City, N.Y. (Broome County)
- Take Action Project: Roll for It
- Erin used her love of tabletop role-playing games to help at-risk students develop better social and problem-solving skills as they enter middle school. She developed materials and ran a seven-week program for 5th grade girls who worked together through an adventure she developed. The girls also used the skills they gained to assist Erin in running a community gaming event. Erin is a graduate of Johnson City High School and currently attends John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she is majoring in forensic science.
- Alexis Randis of Binghamton, N.Y. (Broome County)
- Take Action Project: Family Enrichment Network (FEN) Cooking Classes
- Alexis saw a need for young people to learn basic cooking skills, as she recognized a lack of home cooked meals within her own peer group can lead to poor nutrition and eating habits. She wanted to make a difference and worked to help children and their families who use services provided by the Family Enrichment Network to learn how to cook healthy meals. She provided instruction on basic food safety and how to be safe in a kitchen and also provided families with a cookbook of the recipes they learned in class. Alexis is a graduate of Chenango Valley High School.
- Veronica Ricketson of Nichols, N.Y. (Tioga County)
- Take Action Project: Nichols Hometown Heroes
- Veronica organized a program in her community that honors local veterans with hometown hero banners that are displayed throughout the Village of Nichols. Veterans living in the community, as well as families of deceased veterans, were very moved and grateful for her efforts. Veronica is currently a senior at Tioga Central High School.
- Christy Sherman of Binghamton, N.Y. (Broome County)
- Take Action Project: Activities for Respiratory Patients
- Christy addressed the issue of the restrictions respiratory patients face when trying to get around at Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Binghamton. She helped improve their quality of life by bringing activities to those who are unable to leave the facility. Christy is a graduate of Binghamton High School and currently attends SUNY Oneonta where she is studying childhood education (grades 1-6).
The Gold Award recognizes Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 9-12) who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable projects. The Gold Award is the culmination of a girl’s demonstration of self-discipline, leadership ability, time management, creativity, initiative and a significant mastery of skills. Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take “make the world a better place” to the next level.
“The Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable and proof that girls can not only make a difference, but already have. These young women are bright, courageous leaders and change makers. We congratulate them on earning Girl Scouting’s highest award and look forward to the mark they’ll each continue to make in their communities and on the wider world in the future,” says GSNYPENN CEO Julie Dale.
Girl Scouts serves girls in grade K-12. Annual membership is $25. Financial assistance is available. To register a girl online, visit gsnypenn.org/join. To become an adult volunteer, learn more at gsnypenn.org/volunteer. GSNYPENN is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA to administer the Girl Scout program in 24 counties of New York and two in Pennsylvania. We offer every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Learn more by visiting gsnypenn.org, calling 1.855.213.8555, emailing [email protected] or following @GSNYPENN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
