Girl Scouts of Nassau County

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MASSAPEQUA RESIDENT ACHIEVES HIGHEST HONOR IN GIRL SCOUTING

Garden City, NY July 9, 2008 – With the busy schedules of High School students, it’s tough to find any spare time for extra activities. However, this year 51 Girl Scouts in Nassau County have fit in a minimum of 65 hours to improve their communities. These young women developed Gold Award community action projects, promoting acts of kindness and goodwill, which ultimately make the world a better place. Their efforts earn these Girl Scouts the Gold Award, the highest honor that a young woman can achieve in Girl Scouting.  

Jacquelyn Meier of Massapequa, earned her Gold Award through her project entitled, “Can You Hear My Voice?” The project addressed the need for the education of typically-developing children when interacting with the non-verbal autistic population. Ms. Meier aimed to foster independence in non-verbal children with autism by creating several books targeting the different ways autistic children learn. The books she made, known as Picture Exchange Communication Symbols, or PECS, served as the prime method of communicating among typically developing kids, adults and children with autism. Ms. Meier also ran workshops with local Girl Scout troops to help educate them about autism. Ms. Meier plans to donate the books, papers and materials she created to the Rosemary Kennedy School for students with developmental challenges. Ms. Meier will attend St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue in the fall.

"We are extremely pleased with all of our Girl Scout Gold Award recipients,” said Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County.” Only five percent of eligible Girl Scouts choose to take this rigorous path towards earning the Gold Award. In doing so, they have changed the lives of others in amazing and significant ways!”
On June 8, 2008, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County honored Senior Girl Scouts between the ages of 15 and 18 at a special ceremony held at Adelphi University. In addition to the Girl Scout ceremony, on June 16, 2008, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi presented the girls, along with their Eagle Scout Award counterparts from Boy Scouts, with certificates for their achievements at the Cradle of Aviation. Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray also recognized Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, along with this year Eagle Scouts on June 14, 2008 at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve.

“Girl Scouts who achieve the Gold Award demonstrate personality and determination as well as immaculate 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,” said Ms. Ceravolo.

The Gold Award project helps Senior Girl Scouts develop leadership skills and explore career paths.  Overall, the Gold Awards require a commitment of three years on the part of each young woman. 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 today.  

Girl Scouts of Nassau County builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Girl Scouting in Nassau County creates an accepting and nurturing environment, which gives girls a chance to build character and receive skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. With more than 22,000 girl and 7,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Nassau County has become the preeminent organization and leading authority for girls. The organization, now in its 96th year, continues to make the world a better place one girl at a time.

For more information about the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, please contact Donna Rivera Downey at 516-741-2550, ext. 260 or visit www.gsnc.org.