Malverne resident, Elizabeth Montemarano, a student Kellenberg Memorial High School, performed an astonishing act of kindness and goodwill toward her neighbors. She conceived, designed, developed and carried out a project that required a bare minimum of 50 hours of service to the community. For her hard work and dedication, Elizabeth has achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award.

It is a well-known fact that “dressing for success” is a confidence booster. In an effort to help women who are trying to get their lives back on track and face the dilemma of looking their best when going on job interviews, Elizabeth teamed up with Dress for Success, an organization that provides proper business attire to women in need. She held a personal hygiene and cosmetic drive and collected more than 1000 items that would help the Dress for Success clients make a great first impression when seeking employment. Elizabeth is a junior at Kellenberg Memorial High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, GSO (General Student Organization), Leader’s Club, C.R.O.S.S. (Christians Reaching Out, Spreading Spirituality) and a Varsity Cross Country runner. She also volunteers at Camp Anchor and is a lector at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Lynbrook.

"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.

In addition to Elizabeth’s project, other notable projects include: self esteem seminars, volunteer work at hospitals, sports clinics, and workshops for animal awareness.

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.