North Merrick resident, Carolann Martines, a student at Sacred Heart Academy, 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, Carolann has achieved the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award.

“Dress Your Best…For Less!” was Carolann’s objective when she created her project. Knowing the expenses incurred for her own prom last hear, Carolann had an idea to help cut down the costs for other girls. She collected more than 350 dressy dresses, along with shoes, evening bags and jewelry and organized a Prom Boutique at Hempstead High School. High school girls from the vicinity were invited to come to her Boutique and choose – free of charge - outfits to wear to their proms. Her event was a huge success and garnered a feature story in Newsday. The remaining dresses were made available to those junior and senior girls at the school who were not able to attend that day. Carolann is in her senior year at Sacred Heart Academy where she is involved with Yearbook, Dance Theatre, Newspaper and Catholic League. A recipient of a Gold Award Scholarship from Adelphi, Carolann will attend Adelphi Honors College 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 Carolann’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.