Lynbrook residents, Katherine Obanhein and Alyssa Kluth, 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.

Katie and Alyssa combined their efforts on a project involving the Vial for Life program. They began a campaign to make as many Lynbrook residents as possible aware of the Vial for Life and how it could improve medical treatment for the elderly in emergency situations. Using various media sources – advertising in local newspapers and church bulletins, going door-to-door with flyers and even airing a PSA on a local TV channel -- Katie and Alyssa achieved their goal of raising public awareness amongst the residents of Lynbrook and delivering Vial of Life kits to nearly 50 residents to date. Katie attends Kellenberg Memorial High School where her activities include the National Honor Society, Catholic League, History Club and C.R.O.S.S. (Christians Reaching Out, Spreading Spirituality). Alyssa attends Sacred Heart Academy where she is active in the Red and Gold. She is also a member of Our Lady of Peace Youth Group and serves there as a lector and altar server.

"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.