2 HICKSVILLE RESIDENTS ACHIEVE HIGHEST HONOR IN GIRL SCOUTING

Hicksville, NY July 3, 2005

Hicksville residents, Elizabeth Fields and Christine Fahning, performed astonishing acts of kindness and goodwill toward their neighbors. They conceived, designed, developed and carried out a project that required a bare minimum of 50 hours of service to the community. For their hard work and dedication, the young women have achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Elizabeth’s keen interest in all that is science-related led her to develop a project in this field. Elizabeth planned and presented “The Wonders of Hands-on Science” geared to elementary school children in her community. Concentrating on earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, she provided “hands-on” experiments to 24 young participants who attended her workshop. Elizabeth attends Long Island Lutheran High School and is in the 11th grade. She is a member of the Jazz Bank and Pep Band. Her activities outside of school include cheerleading, Youth Choir, and she is a Sunday school assistant teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Christine’s project goal was to help young children learn early the benefits of good health and fitness. She planned and presented two workshops at the Westbury Library where she taught them aerobics as well as healthy eating habits. Each child received a Healthy Living activity book that Christine designed and was treated to a healthy snack. Christine attends Long Island Lutheran High School where she is currently in the 11th grade. A member of the National Honor Society, DECCA, SSA and Peace Group at her school, Christine also runs Cross Country, winter and spring Track, and enjoys German folk dancing.

"Forty-one young women earned their Gold Award this year,” said Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. "We are so proud of each and everyone of them.”

“Girl Scouts who achieve the Gold Award demonstrate character and perseverance as well as impeccable time management and organizational skills. They have joined an elite group of American women who are part of the Girl Scouts of the USA's Gold Award Alliance," she said.

On June 4th, at a ceremony at SUNY College at Old Westbury, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County honored 41 Senior Girl Scouts between the ages of 16 and 18. The Girl Scout Gold Award is a culmination of all that has been learned and experienced as a Girl Scout.

It affords the teen the opportunity to learn about arts and humanities, cultural and global relations, personal well-being, technology and science, and any one of the innumerable issues facing young women right now. The Gold Award project helps Senior Girl Scouts develop leadership skills and explore career paths. Overall, the Gold Awards require a commitment of two years on the part of each young woman.

Girl Scouts is the world’s largest volunteer organization for girls and young women ages 5 through 17. The Girl Scouts provide girls with learning opportunities, which empower them to realize their full potential and have fun with their peers in a supportive environment. More than 50 million girls have grown up into confident and strong women since Girl Scouts of the USA was founded 91 years ago.

For further information about the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, call Donna Rivera-Downey, Director Marketing at 516/741-2550, extension 260.