MANHASSET RESIDENT ACHIEVES HIGHEST HONOR IN GIRL SCOUTING

Manhasset, NY July 3, 2005

Manhasset resident, Courtney Carmody, a student at Manhasset 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, Courtney has achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Her interest and love of sports, especially softball, led Courtney to organize a softball clinic for girls aged 7-12. Courtney ran her clinic at a summer camp sponsored by the Manhasset/Great Neck EOC Summer Program. Through the generosity of some local residents and a local company, Courtney received funding for bats, balls, gloves and batting helmets for her clinic. Her softball clinic was a positive experience for everyone involved. Courtney, a senior at Manhasset High School, is a member of the art crew and International Thespian Society. Her other interests include archery and softball. Courtney will attend Fairfield University in the fall.

"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 Courtney’s project, other notable projects include: self esteem seminars, volunteer work at hospitals, 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.