Alicia Sanchez

Oceanside Association

Troop 2123

As an active Girl Scout, Alicia has had many opportunities to perform community service. In looking at her neighborhood, she saw a need to educate younger children about the many ways that they could improve the community through service. Using her organizational skills, she researched a variety of service projects, developed an informational pamphlet, and set up a community information night. Adults and children who attended were able to sign up for many different types of projects established by Alicia. She has arranged for her pamphlet to be an ongoing informational piece in her community, to ensure that the good work continues.

Alicia is in 11 th grade at Oceanside High School and attends the Joseph M. Barry Technical Institution where she studies veterinary science.

Julia Schuble

Inspired by her father who was an organ donor, Julia's project, “Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness,” was very close to her heart. Julie created a brochure and spoke on the subject at several planned events. With help from her family, friends, and local community members, Julia was able to honor her father and enlighten many people on this important issue. Julia is a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School where she is a member of the Communications Club, Tae Kwon Do Club, Sodality, and C.R.O.S.S.; she is also part of the yearbook staff and plays in the jazz and senior bands. In September she will be attending Fairfield University.

Elizabeth Seitz

The unfortunate loss of her grandmother encouraged Elizabeth to prepare an evening of fun for some lucky senior citizens. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was the title of Elizabeth 's project, and the Irish eyes were not the only ones smiling. A night of dinner, dancing and entertainment was provided for a local group of senior residents who truly enjoyed themselves and celebrated a traditional Irish holiday. With help from her family, friends, people in her community and her Girl Scout Leader, Elizabeth 's event was a success and brought her community closer together. As a sophomore at Kellenberg Memorial High School , Elizabeth is an active participant in Blue and Gold, the Honor Society, Leaders Club and a member of the literary staff for the Renaissance . She is also a volunteer for S.M.A.R.T., an after school recreational and tutoring program.

Carol Sharkey

East Meadow Association

Troop 1472

“You Can Sign Too” was the title of Carol's Gold Award Project. With help from people in her community, family, friends and her Girl Scout Troop Leaders, Carol taught sign language to children in grades 1 through 6. She wanted them to learn that there are many ways to communicate. Carol is a senior at East Meadow High School where she is a member of the American Sign Language Honor Society, the National Honor Society and Band. In her spare time she teaches religion to kindergartners and volunteers at a local elementary school. In the fall she will be attending Molloy College.

Melissa Smith

Oceanside Association

Troop 2123

Melissa Smith organized a “Spring Fling” dance to socialize Brownies and other Girl Scouts within the Oceanside community, with students having special needs. Melissa has two cousins with special needs, and they were her inspiration for this project. Speaking with Girl Scout Leaders, soliciting the help of teachers and SEPTA, Melissa was able to hire a DJ, get donated snacks and put together a successful event with over seventy participants. Students, teachers, parents and siblings danced together. A junior at Oceanside High School , Melissa is part of the National Honor Society, Thespian Troupe # 132, Model UN, Swing Choir, NYSSMA, All County , The Tri M Music Honor Society and the AIDS Walk. Her interests include theatre, voice, dance and photography. Melissa plans to coordinate a 2 nd Annual “Spring Fling” next year!

Jamie Snow

Jamie's project “Snoopy's Best Friend” involved making blankets and donating stuffed animals to Project Linus. Jamie spoke to several Girl Scout Troops and Leaders to ask for their help making her no-sew rag-tie blankets. The blankets and stuffed animals were distributed to a local hospital and given to children who had to spend a long time in the hospital. Jamie is a senior at Massapequa High School where she is involved with the CARE Club and SADD. In her spare time she is involved with PAL and baby-sits. She will be attending SUNY Cortland in the fall.

Gina Solomita

Port Washington Association

Troop 407

Concerned about the growing rate of heart disease and other health issues related to nutrition, Gina designed a series of hands-on activities that she used to teach young children about the importance of exercise and good eating habits. She worked with the students to learn how to plan a healthy meal and gave them concrete suggestions about how they could incorporate more exercise into their day.

Gina is a senior at Paul D. Schreiber High School , where she is captain of the Varsity Bowling and Softball teams and plays Varsity Field Hockey. She is the Co-President of her school's chapter of National Honor Society and is a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society. She plans to attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall.

Kathryn Sporing

Oceanside Association

Troop 2147

An avid Lacrosse player, Kathryn, a.k.a. Katie, incorporated her love for the sport into her project, “Girls LAX Clinics.” With the help of her PAL coaches and her lacrosse teammates, Katie offered a free clinic to 3 rd to 6 th grade girls. Katie's project was such a success there is now a 3 rd – 6 th 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.

Leann Staines

Elmont Association

Troop 2182

Leann's choice for her project - “A Patriotic Salute to Our Troops” - made perfect sense. Leann traveled to different Girl Scout Troops, spoke about her project and asked the girls to get involved. She connected different Girl Scout Troops with soldiers overseas; the Girls Scouts sent care packages and letters to their individual soldier. Leann is part of the Model United Nations and Mock Trials; she is also the Team Manager of her volleyball team. Her outside activities include volunteering for the St. Vincent De Paul's CYO boys and girls basketball tournament, the St. Vincent De Paul's feast, and she works as a library page. Leann is a senior at Sewanhaka High School . Upon graduation, she will pursue an International Relations degree at SUNY Geneseo.

Erin Stark

Bellmore Association

Troop 911

Erin's project, “A Sister To Every Girl Scout,” brought together a diverse group of girls to work as a group and learn more about each other. She worked to encourage tolerance and acceptance of those who may be different. In her presentations to other girls and adults, Erin promoted the message that while we may be different from each other, everyone should be treated with respect and tolerance. Whether a girl has a physical or learning disability, or feels emotionally insecure, Erin worked to give all girls and adults who attended her workshops the tools to foster healthy relationships and improve their self-esteem. Working with a special needs Troop, she fostered their confidence so that they were able to plan and run an Association event for Daisies.

Erin is a senior at East Meadow High School where she is a member of the Theatre Guild, Gay/Straight Alliance, Ethnic Awareness Club and Select Chorus. She is a member of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County Chorus, SPAT Team, Ambassador Unit, and was a representative at the National Girl Congress in Atlanta , Georgia . Erin will attend Nassau Community College in the fall.

Christina Sutton

Most girls love fashion, and Christina made it the theme of her Gold Award. Her project “Fashion in the Future” brought 5 th and 6 th grade Junior Girl Scouts together with friends to design and make their own outfits. With help from her Troop Leader, fellow Girl Scouts and her friends, Christina utilized her sewing skills and taught the young girls how to turn their ideas into reality. The girls then put on a fashion show of the items they created. Christina is a junior at Oceanside High School where she plays violin in the Chamber Orchestra and the Concert Orchestra. She is also involved in Peer Mediation. In her spare time she plays the violin and volunteers with her “Girl Scout friends around the country.”

Emily Sylvester

Garden City Association

Troop 1693

The college search process can be daunting, so Emily decided to organize the first-ever “College Night” for Garden City High School. She surveyed students to learn which colleges were high on the students' list. Then she invited representatives of these colleges to speak at her high school. The evening was a success, since many students who attended found new options to consider. Even more exciting is the fact that the high school will be using Emily's format to make this an annual event.

Emily's other activities at Garden City High School include: art, fencing and drumming in a band. She also volunteers at a local bird sanctuary and, as a paid job, teaches ceramic painting to children and adults. Her college choice for the fall is the Fashion Institute of Technology.