The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore presented 25 Girl Scouts from Monmouth and Ocean counties with the Girl Scout Gold Award during a June 2 ceremony at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood.
In order to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, participants must utilize the leadership skills learned through Girl Scouting to address and raise awareness of a specific issue or issues within her community. Each recipient is required to complete at least 80 hours on a project that combines organizational leadership, networking skills and community service. Nationwide, only five percent of all eligible Girl Scouts earn this prestigious award, which is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn.
In addition to the Gold Award, each recipient received special commendations from President Barack Obama, their state representatives, Gov. Chris Christie, and county and state officials.
Local Girl Scouts who received the accolades include the following:
Jillian Cavaliere of Ocean noticed that her classmates with disabilities were having trouble fitting in with “regular” social situations.
With the help of her friend, fellow Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Megan Kelleher, she decided to teach her friends to dance and act appropriately in certain social gatherings.
Katelyn Kearney of Rumson started a program at Monmouth Medical Center, which brought art to the pediatric wing. She organized a group of peers to help bring spin art, canvases, jewel boxes and other art projects to the patients.
Gianna Miceli of Holmdel implemented a dog therapy program in the Holmdel school district to benefit students with special needs. She hoped to make an impact on the students’ reading skills, selfesteem, verbal and memory skills, and general awareness by introducing them to her dog, Dottie.
Karen Moore of Holmdel planted a garden at Middletown United Methodist Church with flowers that are attractive to bees. After the garden was built, she held a presentation at the church for the Sundayschool children to teach them about the importance of bees. To top off the presentation, she had the children paint rocks to enhance the beauty of the garden.