2 OCEANSIDE RESIDENTS ACHIEVE HIGHEST HONOR IN GIRL SCOUTING

Oceanside, NY July 3, 2005

Oceanside residents, Megan Flaherty and Kristina Mazzeo, 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.

Megan’s athletic ability and her love of sports played a key role in her decision to concentrate on this area for her project. Megan organized and ran a Girl Sports Sampler aimed at introducing Junior Girl Scouts to sports they may not have tried and to encourage them to participate. The event was held at Oceanside Park where girls received related information, were taught stretching exercises and given the opportunity to play soccer, softball and other sports. Megan is currently a senior at Oceanside High School. She will be majoring in Business at Marist College in the fall and pursuing her love of sports as a member of their track team.

As a hospital volunteer for the elderly, Kristina experienced firsthand the need for a tool for individuals who cannot verbalize their needs. Using her skills as a photographer, Kristina had an idea to take pictures of everyday items such as a glass of water or a telephone, and glue them to magnets. The magnets were then attached to magnetic boards, small enough to place in the patient’s lap. Patients who have trouble expressing themselves vocally can use the magnets to communicate with doctors, nurses, volunteers and family members. Kristina is currently in her senior year at Oceanside High School and plans to attend Wagner College next fall. She is a volunteer at Franklin General Hospital and a member of GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association). Her interests include art, photography, and painting.

"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.