Nicole Tamney

Nicole Tamney wants to become a special education teacher and that will be her main focus when she attends Dowling College next year. Nicole's project, “Pajama Night,” was a glimpse into her future. Her program was designed to serve 40 adults from AHRC who reside in 5 group homes in Nassau County. They painted plaster teddy bears and had a pizza pajama party. In addition to the program for the adults, Junior and Cadette Girl Scout volunteers had a chance to interact with people with whom they normally would not come in contact. With help from her Troop Leader, her employer, fellow workers and fellow Girl Scouts, Nicole's project was a success with the adults, the girls and the community. Nicole is a senior at W.T. Clarke High School , is a religious education teacher at her local church, works and baby sits.

Kristen Tomaszewski

Erika Toto

Hicksville Association

Troop 3002

Erika's project, “Girls Best Friend,” was created to educate the community and Brownies about pet care. Brownies participated in a day of fun, animal related activities and earned their Animals Try-it. Supplies were collected and care packages were created to benefit the people who take in dogs from the Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue. A senior at Hicksville High School , Erika is part of the school's Marching Band, Theater Club, German Club, Video Production Club, Natural Helpers, Interact and the National Honor Society. She also is part of her church's altar service, helps with blood drives, and the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast. In September she will attend the University of Connecticut 's Honor College .

Amanda Marie Vagnone

Valley Stream Association

Troop 2348

Amanda's project, “Revolution” brought a community together for an evening of entertainment and fun. Amanda co-directed, with sister Girl Scout Felecia Giunta, and produced “Annie: The Musical Revue,” where the admission was a can of non-perishable food. The food was donated to Mercy First Children and Family Services. Her love of dancing and the arts gave her the tools she needed to teach the young children their parts. As a sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy, Amanda has performed in The Nutcracker, Red and Gold competitions and is part of the Irish Club. In her spare time she participates in her church's Youth Group; she takes dance classes, is part of the Summer Drama Workshop and sings in the church choir.

Kate Vander

Oceanside Association

Troop 2213

Kate Vander, a junior at Oceanside High School , decided to share American culture with children and adults in the Ukraine . Her goal was to connect Americans with children in the Ukraine through books. Her project “Long Distance Hug” proved that someone can make a difference, even if they live half way around the world. She translated children and adult books from English to Russian and sent them to a shelter overseas. Kate is on the badminton team at her school, is a member of Key Club and Model Congress. Her favorite outside activity is Girl Scouts.

Nicole Verity

Oceanside Association

Troop 2147

Nicole Verity, a sophomore at Oceanside High School , decided to teach young children about pets, choosing the best pet and how to care for it. Her project, “Pet Seminar” was also geared towards collecting donations for local animal shelters. With approximately 120 children in attendance, Nicole and all the youngsters had a great learning experience. Nicole is a member of her high school's Key Club and in her spare time she baby sits, is a member of the Oceanside Softball Team and volunteers at school and with other Girl Scout Troops.

Marybeth Weiss

Floral Park/Bellerose/Stewart Manor Association,

Troop 1224

Marybeth was determined to raise awareness in the general public, and in the Girl Scouting community, of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouting in the United States . Marybeth wrote a play about the challenging and rewarding life of this woman, who changed our nation's history. The performance of her play brought the community together to be educated and entertained, and a question and answer session following the performance encouraged further understanding of Juliette's life and times.

A senior at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School , Marybeth plays in the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo, and is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Music Education at C. W. Post in the fall.

Andrea Wieczkowski

Merrick Association

Troop 2200

Andrea's project, “Cerebral Palsy Mobile” incorporated her love for art and the need to share it with people. Andrea learned how to weld and created a beautiful mobile that is displayed in the children's ward at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Roosevelt, NY.

A senior at Calhoun High School, Andrea is part of the Art Club and SADD. When she's not biking, doing an art project or babysitting, Andrea is an aide at Newbridge School and involved in an internship at Camp Avenue School. In the fall she will be attending the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Catherine Wolinski

Manhasset Association

Troop 515

Catherine wanted to share her musical talents with her faith community. For her Gold Award Project, “The Song of Service,” she composed and performed original pieces of music for clarinet and piano/organ. These pieces were incorporated into the Advent/Christmas celebrations at the church. She rehearsed the organist, publicized the event and performed during services. Her work and performance enhanced the celebration of the season, and her composition will bring enjoyment for years to come.

Catherine is a senior at Manhasset High School where she is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and honor societies. She will attend Harpur College of Arts & Sciences at Binghamton University in the fall.

Anastasia Young

Merrick Association

Troop 2358

Anastasia's Gold Award project is titled “Girls Being Girls.” Anastasia made a movie about the lives of five girls from Merrick Long Island; two of the girls are Girl Scouts. She filmed them, interviewed them and edited a film to show younger girls how Girl Scouts can inspire another to accomplish anything, if they try. Anastasia is a senior at Calhoun High School and is very active in her school and community. She has volunteered on numerous occasions with local area clean ups, flag placement at Pinelawn Cemetery, helped at local street fairs, hurricane relief, worked with a local County Legislator, is President of her Girl Scout Troop and is an Ambassador for Girl Scouts of Nassau County. She has won many awards, including 1 st place in luge at the Junior World Cup at Sigulda , Latvia . In September her plans include attending the State University of New York at Plattsburgh , and training for luge.

Danielle Zimmermann

Oceanside Association

Troop 2123

Danielle wished to inform her community that Girl Scouts is much more than cookies and camping. Over the course of a year, she interviewed and questioned Girl Scouts of all ages, including adult volunteers, to find out what they are doing and how their Girl Scout experiences have affected their lives. She then published and circulated a newsletter to share this information with the public. With this “inside scoop” on what Girl Scouting is all about, Danielle hopes to see more girls join Girl Scouts and stay involved in Girl Scouts so that they, too, can develop their courage, confidence and character.

Danielle is in the 11 th grade at Oceanside High School where she is a member of the Dance Team. Aside from Girl Scouts, she spends her free time twirling baton, taking dance classes and babysitting.

Kelly Zwiebel

WARM Association

Troop 1005

Kelly worked with the Historical Committee in Williston Park to preserve and publicize some of the historical documents that had been collected throughout the years. She also brought the collection into the twenty-first century, by scanning the documents, photos, and news articles, which will help to archive these priceless memories. To juxtapose the change that Williston Park has undergone, she took current photos of some of the locations, which were then compared to the historical photos, for a “then and now” look at her village.

Kelly is a senior at Holy Trinity High School , and participates in swimming and diving, and tutoring. She is a member of the National Honor Society, New York State Math Honor Society, and Quill and Scroll Honor Society. Outside of school, she swims with St. Aidan's CYO, and is a member of their youth group. She is an active Girl Scout, serving on the Council's SPAT team, as a delegate to the Girl Scouts of the USA's Girl Congress in Atlanta, and was elected a National Council Delegate for GSNC. Kelly will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall.