Felicia Giunta

Valley Stream Association

Troop 2348

Felicia Giunta worked with Amanda Vagnone on their “Revolution” project to produce an all-Girl Scout musical revue of the show Annie , which received standing ovations when presented at Carbonaro Elementary School on January 27, 2006. Felicia feels that the project brought together the Girl Scouts of Valley Stream and created a sense of community and helped to develop friendships, while teaching the girls to sing, dance and act. The production not only benefited the girls and brought joy to the audience, but it also addressed the issue of hunger on Long Island . The “price” of admission was one can or box of non-perishable food per person. Over 35 post office bins of food were collected and distributed to Mercy First Children and Family Services. Felicia is completing the 10 th grade at Valley Stream High School South where she is active in school plays, Dance Ensemble, Class Council and Key Club. Outside of school, Regina teaches Sunday school and is on the junior staff at Miss Laura's Bodies in Motion; she sings, plays the violin and guitar, is an active Girl Scout and volunteers at Mercy First and Friends of the Bridge. Felicia is passionate about dance and aspires to be a Rockette.

Kaitlin Goards

ELLM Association

Troop 2182

Kaitlin Goards's “Moving Whale Bones” 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. Kaitlin 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. Kaitlin 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.

Danielle Marie Griscti

Hicksville Association

NTA

Danielle Griscti's “Kitchen Safety” project taught younger children about safety in the kitchen. Danielle demonstrated needed safety tips using different naming games, while baking with a group of youngsters. The children then had the joy of sharing their homemade cookies with the elderly at a local nursing home. Danielle's project helped her to realize that she is comfortable working with children. An eleventh grader at Long Island Lutheran High School, Danielle is active in the Peace Group, SADD, HART, and Spanish Club; she plays volleyball and runs track. Her outside activities include participating in a mission trip to Mexico, a Christmas ministry at Creedmore, and she volunteers as a counselor for a middle school Christian ministry.

Catherine Groene

Catherine's project not only aided abandoned infants and their mothers, it was a tremendous learning opportunity. “Operation Diaper” provided babies and their mothers with over 500 items such as diapers, clothing and other infant needs. Working together with Children of Hope, her family, her community and other girls, Catherine learned that she had the ability to speak to and reach people. After one of her presentations, a girl called the Children of Hope hotline and, with their help, saved her baby from abandonment. After graduating from Kellenberg Memorial High School this summer, Catherine will be attending Fordham University. She is Captain of the Track and Field team, an officer of Catholic League, a member of SMART (an interschool tutoring program), and Catherine still finds time to be involved with outside activities such as the PAL, Buddy for handicapped children, the Massapequa Coast Little League Challenger Division and her church.

Katharine Grund

Central Park Association

Troop 3018

Katharine Grund's “Operation Baby Nap” set out to make baby quilts for new mothers in need. Katherine learned how to quilt and taught these skills to a multi-generational group of volunteers who helped her to make the quilts that were then donated to Lutheran Social Services. In addition to providing needed items for the new mothers, Katharine's project developed her own skills in handiwork, organization and leadership. Katharine is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School in Plainview-Old Bethpage, where she sings in the Mixed Choir, is a member of the Drama Club, and she is involved in Peer Mediation. She also serves on the Senior Active Ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church . Katharine plans to major in Math education at the University of Delaware .

Elizabeth Hartman

Park Association

Troop 1520

Elizabeth 's project, “AMAC Rewards,” had two purposes. The first was to collect new toys and prizes for the AMAC's (Association for Metro Area Autistic Children) Reward Store and the second was to volunteer for their Saturday recreation program. Elizabeth was able to get four boxes of books donated to her project so the Reward Store could start a small library. By using donations and enlisting the help of her family, community leaders, her Troop and Troop Leaders, Elizabeth was able to aid AMAC in keeping down the cost of running the store. Elizabeth volunteers in the Dean's office at Francis Lewis High School where she is a senior. Outside of school, Elizabeth volunteers as a camp counselor and helps children and adults with special needs. She will be entering the New York City Board of Education Para training program in the fall.

Michelle K. Holleran

Merrick Association

Troop 2200

Michelle, a senior at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, titled her project “ABC…Read With Me.” Michelle collected over 1200 books and personally recorded over one hundred books onto tape. The books and tapes were donated to three organizations, to aid children learning to read. Michelle is president of her school's Student Government, a member of the National Honor Society, the Wind Ensemble, the Swim Team and Key Club. Through Girl Scout's “Destinations” program, she has gone rock-climbing in Joshua Tree National Park , hiked in Yosemite, and paddled the Everglades . In the fall she will be a freshman at American University in Washington , DC .

Saraya Hyder

East Meadow Association

Troop 1472

Saraya has been running towards her Gold Award since she was a Daisy. Currently a junior at East Meadow High School, a Cross Country and Track Team member, and a member of Athletes Helping Athletes, Saraya is very aware of the problem with obesity in young children. Her project, “Walk to Fitness,” addressed this issue by using her knowledge of health and fitness. Saraya planned a mile walk for young children at Newbridge State Park, with games and exercises along the way. With the help of her Girl Scout Leader, park officials and other Girl Scouts, Saraya made this event the fondest Girl Scout memory she has. When Saraya isn't running, she is working, babysitting and involved with the “Fresh Air Fund.”

Alia Jethoo

Park Association

Troop 1537

The dangers of drugs and alcohol and the pressures on today's teens was the topic of Alia's Gold Award Project, “Girl Talk.” She aimed her message at students who were just entering high school and used a variety of media to relay that message. Feeling that it would be more effective to hear the information from another teen, rather than the parents and teachers who usually cover this information, Alia, working with sister Girl Scout Kelly Marzocchi, led discussions that were based on the experiences of the participants. By bringing information out in the open in a non-judgmental atmosphere, she was able to give those who attended some practical skills and information regarding this important issue.

Alia is a senior at New Hyde Park Memorial High School , where she is Team Captain for the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Riflery Teams, and Vice-President of the French Club. She will attend Binghamton University in the fall.

Jackie Karakus

Oceanside Association

Troop 2147

Working with her friend and sister Girl Scout Jessica Remsen, Jackie gave some kindergarten girls in Oceanside the chance to be Daisy Girl Scouts. As a Troop Leader to this group, Jackie planned activities for the girls, and made sure to keep the parents informed as to what the girls were doing. By giving these girls a great start, Jackie hopes that they (and their parents) will continue in Girl Scouting. Jackie is a sophomore at Oceanside High School , where she runs Track. She also teaches Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside , and has been studying dance for many years.

Samantha Kelly

Samantha Kelly's project was to organize a Cheerleading Clinic for sixth graders. She felt cheerleading would be beneficial because of the changes that girls go through at this time in their lives. Samantha had help from her Girl Scout Leader and praises the help she received from her teammates; she couldn't have done it without them. Her project provided twenty girls with a means to make new friends, and it taught them the importance and reward of being involved and being part of a team. The project made Samantha realize that she loves working with young people and that becoming a teacher is her passion and the right choice for a future career. Samantha keeps herself very busy with school activities like Student Council, the Dance Team, the National Honor Society and the Prom Committee. With her major already declared, this senior at Oceanside High School will be attending Marist College next fall.

Elah Lanis

Port Washington Association

Troop 407

By creating an attention getting exercise, Elah was able to peak the interest of 200 students on her topic, the American Democracy Workshop. A senior at Solomon Schechter High School whose activities include Mock Trial, Philosophy Club, Model Congress and Newspaper Editor, it is no surprise that Elah would choose such a challenging project. Involving community leaders, teachers and her family, Elah was able to put together a school-wide program focusing on the American voting system. The speaker from the League of Women Voters stressed the importance of voting in local and national elections. Elah also plays piano, is part of the United Synagogue Youth and the Junior Statesmen of America. Elah will attend Yale University in the fall.

Monika Loeschinger

Bellmore Association

Troop 981-911

Along with her sister Girl Scout Monica Milteer, helping women and children less fortunate than herself was the theme of Monika's project, titled “Benefiting Babies.” Monika collected household goods, toiletries and baby items to donate to the mothers and their children at Mommas House. She also solicited the help of her Girl Scout Troop to donate items and collect donations from local merchants. Monika is a member of the Physician Assistant Association, volunteers at Bel-Aire Care Center , her church and works as a teller at the Dime Savings Bank. A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy , Monika is currently a freshman at Pace University .

Laura Lorito

Laura's project, “Fun ‘n' Flowers,” involved both Brownie and Junior Girl Scout Troops. Working with sister Girl Scout Pamela Rosenbaum, they planned a two-workshop program so the girls could earn a badge and donate what they made to a local senior center. During the first workshop the girls painted two flower pots. At the second workshop they planted seeds in one flower pot to take home and made paper flowers for the second pot, which went to the senior center. Laura is a freshman at Bloomsburg University , where, in addition to her studies, she plays flute in the Instrumental Ensemble, is a member of the National Honor Society and is President of the Usherettes Club. While attending Sacred Heart Academy , Laura taught religion at CCD, volunteered as a tour guide for Open House at her high school and was a Peer Tutor.