2011 gold award - Girl Scouts of Strongsville
Transcription
2011 gold award - Girl Scouts of Strongsville
2011 G O L D AWA R D Meghan Eisenberger just completed her sophomore year at Tallmadge High School. She has been a Girl Scout for nine years. For her Gold Award project, Meghan developed and presented a Fall Festival for The Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron. “I am very involved with the Student Senate at my high school. We volunteer quite often for centers that help those in need. I was inspired to try to do more, and the idea of a festival for the mothers and their children at the Harvest Home seemed like a great idea. I was proud to give back to my community. While in the process of planning and presenting my project, I gained valuable skills that I can use for the rest of my life.” Meghan has earned many badges, as well as the Girl Scout Silver Award. She is a member of the Art Club and Leaders in Action. Meghan is also a member of a Scouting Venture Crew, where she holds the position of Vice President of Program. Next year, she will be entering the PostSecondary program at The University of Akron where she will begin taking courses in hopes of one day becoming a guidance counselor. Meghan Eisenberger Tallmadge, Ohio TROOP #91412 2011 G O L D AWA R D Caroline Feldman, a Hudson High School graduate, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. She and her troop have served the Hudson community and Hudson Girl Scouts with many projects and they have had travel adventures together. Caroline has been to three of the Girl Scout World Centers: Our Chalet, Pax Lodge and Our Cabaña. Utilizing her musical talent which she has developed over six years, Caroline’s Gold Award project “Music for the Soul” aimed to incorporate music into everyday life for the residents at Regina Health Center in Richfield. She hoped to bring enjoyment and stimulation to the residents, particularly those in the Alzheimer’s unit. She performed flute music individually in their rooms, at a wine and cheese party, and in the floor lounges. Caroline also held a concert and brought her friends to play different instruments. She created a scrapbook of instrument picture puzzles for the Alzheimer’s unit and word searches filled with hidden musical words for all of the residents. In addition to Girl Scouting, Caroline has been a member of the National Honor Society and has played in numerous groups within the Music Department, including marching band, wind ensemble, chamber orchestra, and the pit orchestra for the spring musical. She has earned a letter in crosscountry and received the Scholar Athlete Award. Caroline is a member of St. Mary Parish and has been actively involved in the Life Teen program for the past four years. Caroline plans to pursue a degree in Engineering at the University of Dayton. Caroline is the daughter of Jody and Noreen Feldman of Hudson. Caroline Feldman Hudson, Ohio TROOP #90949 2011 G O L D AWA R D Audra Hoffmeister is a graduate of Hudson High School and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned numerous patches as well as the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Audra planted a butterfly garden at the Hudson Elms Nursing Home. She researched flowers that attract butterflies and designed a layout for the garden. She then obtained donations, planted the flowers, and maintained the garden. In addition to the butterfly garden, Audra made “Butterfly Garden Books” with pictures and information about butterflies and the flowers she planted. The residents at the Hudson Elms Nursing Home as well as their visitors will benefit from her project. Audra Hoffmeister Hudson, Ohio TROOP #90949 In addition to Girl Scouting, Audra is a member of the National Honor Society and the Hudson High School Knitting Club. She has been a squad leader in marching band for the past two years and is an active member of the Life Teen program at St. Mary Parish. Audra will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and plans to major in Engineering. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Danielle Howard, a gradu- ate of Nordonia High School, has been in Girl Scouting for three years. For her Gold Award project, she created an eco-friendly community garden in the courtyard at her school, which will be used by future students. She fixed up the courtyard and built a garden and flower boxes. Students will learn to reuse rain water, grow organic food and create something with their hands. Danielle is studying biology at Heidelberg University and plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Danielle has volunteered with the Polar Express in addition to serving as a committee chair for a Girl Scout Camporee. She was the Vice President of her school’s book club, worked in her high school’s media center and at the Akron Summit County Public Library, Nordonia Branch. Danielle Howard Macedonia, Ohio TROOP #90484 2011 G O L D AWA R D Naomi Merklin, a graduate of Revere High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. Naomi has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Many students throughout Northeast Ohio will benefit from Naomi’s project. Naomi landscaped at ETC School of Musical Arts, a show choir studio she has been a member of for eight years. This project involved weeding, planting, mulching and building a bench. Naomi realized this project would be important when she saw how badly the gardens at the studio needed help and how much the studio’s parking lot needed to be cleared. Outside of Girl Scouts, Naomi is an executive board member and has held several officer positions in Student Council. Naomi is also on her school’s speech and debate team, as well as a member of Drama Club, and a three year member of Revere Symphonic Choir. Naomi also volunteers at Akron Children’s Hospital during her free time. Next year, Naomi plans to attend West Virginia University and major in Forensic and Investigative sciences. Naomi would like to thank her parents, her supervisor Pricilla, as well as Executive Director of ETC, Robert Heid for making this award possible. Naomi Merklin Akron, Ohio TROOP #90769 2011 G O L D AWA R D Melody Monroe, a graduate of Field High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 10 years. She attends Kent State University Stark campus where she is majoring in Early Childhood Education. Her Gold Award project, Dog Days of Summer, benefited the residents of Altercare of Brimfield. Melody held an ice cream social, games and a dog show at the nursing home. She also planned a Senior Center Luncheon at the Lake Adult Community Center, which addressed the importance of drinking fluids and avoiding dehydration, the symptoms of heat stroke and prevention. Melody said the most successful part of her program was the dog show, which provided the residents with companionship and will continue for years to come. Melody Monroe N.E. Hartville, Ohio TROOP #90460 2011 G O L D AWA R D Nina Parri, a senior at Archbishop Hoban High School of Akron, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Nina designed and created the Ft. Island Nature Gardens and Interactive Information Board for the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in Fairlawn. In addition, she built a 5 ft. x 15 ft. brick walkway to the LRC storage unit that solved an ongoing drainage problem. “The first issue I wanted to address with my project was to add life and color at the LRC building which had grass, weeds and patches of mud. Since this is a ‘learning center’ where children and adults of the community come to learn about plants and animals, I felt by adding flower gardens, the community would benefit seeing the variety of plants and many birds, butterflies and bees that would come with it. I researched many plants that would give three seasons of color. I then created and built an Interactive Information Board using questions to be matched with the correct pictures of each plant from the gardens. The pictures that are on the information board are actual pictures I took of the plants when they were in full bloom. I also created a Fun Fact Answer poster that is in the LRC for anyone using the Interactive Information Board to check their answers and learn facts about each plant. The 186 bricks I used for my walkway were all recycled.” Nina has earned multiple badges as well as the Girl Scout Silver Award. She played on the JV basketball team and Varsity softball team for Hoban. She is involved in Basic Christian Community (BCC) and Justice Akron Ministry (JAM) through Hoban. Over the summer, Nina will be going on a mission trip to El Salvador, Mexico, to build six homes for the poor through her church. Nina Parri Fairlawn, Ohio TROOP #90870 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sarah Laferty, a graduate of Revere Sarah Laferty Akron, Ohio TROOP #90769 High School, has been a member of Girl Scout Troop 90769 for 13 years. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she landscaped the Western Reserve Playhouse, a community theater. She refurbished the existing wooden benches and handicap accessible wheelchair ramp. As part of the project, she moved the sign to a better location, touched up its paint, then created and planted a flowerbed around it. She also dug up weeds and created a large perennial bed. On the other side of the property, Sarah pruned bushes that were obstructing the drive and the handicap ramp. She cleaned and stained seven wooden benches and the handicap ramp, and finished the handicap ramp with custom-cut traction strips. Sarah has earned the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards as well as the ‘God and Me’ and ‘God and Community’ Awards. At Revere High School, she was Co-President of Revere Players Drama Club and appeared in seven Players productions and two Variety Shows during her high school stage career. She was also a member of the Revere Symphonic Choir for four years and the Revere Treble Choir for three years, serving as alto section leader for both. Sarah is also a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she sings in the choir, has served as Youth Elder (representing all church youth at the church governing body) and also assisted with Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. She will attend the University of Dayton School of Music this fall where she will pursue a degree in Vocal Performance. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Raelyn Roxbury, a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, has been in Girl Scouts 13 years. She has earned a Silver Award and Gold Award. Raelyn’s Gold Award project was to freshen up the entrance to her elementary school flower beds. Raelyn organized a mass pulling of weeds to clear the two large flower beds, planted tulips, and daffodils for spring growth. The Dragon’s Den, as the project was called, will have color three seasons of the year. Raelyn also handed over the flower bed to the 5th grade Girl Scout Troop in DeWitt Elementary so they can do the upkeep on the beds. It is a continued giving project as each year the garden will be handed down to the next 5th grade Girl Scout Troop. In addition to Girl Scouting, Raelyn has been involved in Relay for Life five years, a member of the Black Tiger Marching Band and Synphonic Band and a High School Varsity Woman’s Bowling team member. She helped her team to a 10th place team placement at the State competitions level. She is planing to pursue Business degree and Sports Marketing degree at University of Northwestern Ohio, as she hopes to one day own a bowling alley. Raelyn Roxbury Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio TROOP #90354 2011 G O L D AWA R D Michaela Schoeffler, a grad- uate of Trinity High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, including numerous badges and leadership pins. Michaela’s Gold Award project benefitted the faculty and students of Trinity High School’s Science Department. She transferred the overhead transparency notes for dozens of chapters of two science classes into PowerPoints. She designed and organized the text into the most efficient outlines for optimal reading and learning of students. These PowerPoints are currently being used and will be advantageous to many students and teachers now and in the future. Michaela is a four year varsity athlete for both soccer and track and field. She is also involved in the Environmental Club at her school, is a member of the National Honor Society, and has volunteered for five years with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Polar Express. She plans to attend The Ohio University in fall 2011 to pursue a degree in social work. Michaela Schoeffler Northfield, Ohio TROOP #90484 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jessie Wilson is a graduate of Western Reserve Academy and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Jessie expanded a horse shelter at Victory Gallop, a therapeutic equestrian center for kids with special needs. This project was something that Victory Gallop had needed completed, but lacked the money and time to do. Accordingly, many parties will benefit from this project, particularly the people running Victory Gallop and the horses and riders at the farm. Outside of Girl Scouting, Jessie is active in numerous extracurricular activities: she is editor-in-chief of WRA’s newspaper, captain of WRA’s rifle team, and has been an active volunteer at Victory Gallop in past summers. In the fall, she will attend Duke University, where she intends to study biomedical engineering. Jessie Wilson Akron, Ohio TROOP #90769 2011 G O L D AWA R D Brittany Sarama, a gradu- ate of Brunswick High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 10 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Brittany has been involved with St. Elias Catholic Church youth group. She plans to become an Optometrist after graduating from Kent State University with a degree in chemistry. Brittany remodeled the Mother’s room at her church. She cleaned the room, painted and decorated. Brittany also made curtains, cleaned the carpet and painted and organized a bookshelf. “I chose this project because I love my church and everyone who goes there. I want to give back to my church and the people that are like family to me. My project provides a comfortable and pleasant place for parents to be with their children during mass while ensuring that they do not disrupt others.” Brittany Sarama Brunswick, Ohio TROOP #90873 2011 G O L D AWA R D Chelsea Ashley, a gradu- ate of Geneva High School, has been involved with Girl Scouts for 11 years and has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Chelsea built bird feeders for residents at a local nursing home. She also made a scrapbook about the different types of birds that may be visiting the new feeders. Chelsea, a post-secondary student, has completed two years of college at Kent State Ashtabula where she is earning an associate’s degree. She then hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in film and communications. Chelsea Ashley Jefferson, Ohio TROOP #80462 2011 G O L D AWA R D Ashley Carroll, is a graduate of Geneva High School. She has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years. During that time, Ashley has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. She also became a Program Aide and has helped to inspire younger Girl Scouts in her community. The residents of Geneva Village, a local nursing home, have benefited from her Silver and Gold Award projects. With the help of her troop, Ashley made 20 bird feeders that are hanging outside the windows at Geneva Village. In addition to Girl Scouts, Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society and Project Love. Ashley was captain of her varsity soccer team, flute section leader in both marching and concert bands, and a member of the track team for three years. She is also an assistant coach for the middle school girls track team. Ashley was chosen to be one of two members from her senior class to do the morning and afternoon announcements. Ashley plans to attend Slippery Rock University in the fall where she will study athletic training/physical therapy. Ashley Carroll Geneva, Ohio TROOP #80462 2011 G O L D AWA R D Kelly Dahman, a junior at Canfield High School, has been a Girl Scout for 11 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Family and friends who attend Boardman Baptist Church, located in Boardman, Ohio, will benefit from her Gold Award project. For her project, Kelly designed and constructed shelving and decorated wall hangings for the church’s nursery. After evaluating the nursery, she designed shelving that would not only save space, but create more room for toys, bags, and the nursery’s T.V. Upon recognizing a need for the church in her community, Kelly completed her project with the hopes of making a lasting impact, and sure enough, the successful renovation will serve the church for years to come. In addition to Girl Scouting, Kelly is involved as a reader at church, and a member of the Canfield Drumline, the Canfield Chamber Choir, German Club, and Key Club. Upon graduating, she plans to become an interior designer. Kelly Dahman Canfield, Ohio TROOP #80557 2011 G O L D AWA R D Caitlin Devine, a junior at Canfield High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 10 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Caitlin is involved with 4-H Boardman Haunted Hay Ride, Key Club, Young Leaders and Y-Teens. Her future plans include becoming either a veterinarian or a physician. Her Gold Award project, Warm and Cozy, provided patients with handmade blankets on New Year’s Day. “I think I benefited from this project as well as the patients. It made me feel good inside to know I did something special for people who don’t have family or visitors. It let them see that someone cares.” Caitlin Devine Canfield, Ohio TROOP #80557 2011 G O L D AWA R D Brittany Dowell, a graduate of LaBrae High School , was the Salutatorian for her class of 91 students. She is a member of Troop 80324 and has been in Girl Scouting for 13 years. She has earned many badges, including the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Brittany has come across many children in her community that had never witnessed a formal wedding. She found this sad because a wedding ceremony declares to the world the love of two people and the peace they bring into each other’s lives. For her Gold Award project, she arranged to have a “Tom Thumb” mock wedding to show the community children how wonderful a wedding ceremony can be. She wanted the children to appreciate the social skills necessary to perform correctly at formal ceremonies and the self-discipline it takes to manage their time. She raised the money necessary to buy supplies and refreshments and planned the entire wedding. More than 300 community members attended the Tom Thumb wedding. “As a result of my project, children in my community all showed amazing talent and developed better self-esteem,” said Brittany. Brittany Dowell Warren, Ohio TROOP #80324 In addition to Girl Scouting, Brittany is president of her Spanish class, member of Student Council and National Honor Society, a marching band majorette, she tutors 2nd grade students in reading and math, she is a library worker, an election poll worker, and a member of Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church where she serves as an usher. She will be attending The Ohio State University this fall, majoring in Biology. Her goal is to become a Pediatrician. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Emily Drought, a graduate of Geneva High School, has been a Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Elderly people at the Geneva Village Nursing home are benefitting from her Gold Award project. Emily, along with the rest of her troop, built bird feeders for the residents. She put up the bird feeders outside of windows at the nursing home and provided bird seed for the feeders to be filled. Emily identified a need in her community and completed a project that will have a lasting impact. The residents at Geneva Village now have something nice to look at and entertain themselves with when they look outside. Emily is also involved with Spanish Club, Student Council, National Honor Society and is editor of the Geneva High School Yearbook. She plans to attend Kent State University and possibly major in Business Management or Education. Emily Drought Geneva, Ohio TROOP #80462 2011 G O L D AWA R D Brittany Haynes, a graduate of South Range High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 11 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Brittany has volunteered with Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic at Youngstown State University, pie baking at Angels for Animals, making care packages and holiday cards for troops overseas, stuffing backpacks for children, and collecting food for the local food pantry. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha at YSU, The Way Station, South Range Key Club, and 3 C’s. Brittany has lettered in varsity cheerleading and band. She plans to pursue a career in broadcasting after graduation from Point Park University. The children at Akron Children’s Hospital benefited from Brittany’s Gold Award project. She provided fleece blankets and pillow cases for the rooms. She also made craft bags and bookmarks to help cheer up the pediatric patients. Brittany Haynes South Range, Ohio TROOP #80962 2011 G O L D AWA R D Michelle Kordupel, a graduate of Boardman High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Michelle created a program, “Backpacks for Kids” which benefited West Boulevard Elementary. Local businesses donated backpacks, pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, folders, paper, and other various school supplies to fill backpacks for children whose families cannot afford the cost of school supplies. “Education is a vital aspect of life and no one should be denied a proper education because of the cost,” said Michelle. In addition to Girl Scouts, Michelle held many leadership positions. She was the Vice President of French Club, the Inductee Leader for National Honor Society, a Link Leader, and Captain of the Speech and Debate Team. In high school she was a part of French National Honor Society, Medical Careers Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Symphony Orchestra. Michelle also played third singles on the girl’s tennis team and was named to the second team in the Federal League. Michelle plans to attend Youngstown State University, concentrating her academics in pre-veterinary and biology as part of the STEM College. She has already been accepted into the STEM leadership conservatory. Michelle Kordupel Boardman Ohio TROOP #80098 2011 G O L D AWA R D Kelly Kordupel, a graduate of Boardman High School, has been involved with Girl Scouts for the past 12 years. During this time, she has completed work for countless badges as well as the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. A local nursing home and adult daycare center benefited from her project by receiving 40 handmade lap blankets. Kelly coordinated the project, enlisting the help of National Honor Society members at her high school. This project has a lasting impact with the residents as well as her school’s NHS, giving them an annual winter service project to benefit the community. In addition to Girl Scouting, Kelly is involved with Computer Networking Tech Crew, Science Club, Photo Arts, and Junior Varsity and Varsity tennis. She is a third generation NHS member, and second generation Girl Scout member. She plans to attend Youngstown State University this fall, pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems. Kelly Kordupel Boardman, Ohio TROOP #80098 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sarah Moffitt, a graduate Sarah Moffitt Mineral Ridge, Ohio TROOP #80598 of Hudson High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Her Gold Award project, “Boxes for Birds,” helped beautify the community and gave bluebirds a better, cleaner shelter. Sarah led a team to remove bird boxes and empty their contents. She then proceeded to throw away any that were beyond repair and fixed the ones that were still usable. From this, she ended up with 20 bird boxes. Afterward, she built 20 new bird boxes from scratch and installed all 40 in a new location. She is very happy to have helped the community and the birds. In addition to Girl Scouting, Sarah is also a letter winner in cross-country and track. This year she is also the concertmaster of the Hudson High School Chamber Orchestra. She recently won the National School Orchestra Award, which is only awarded to one person each year. Sarah was also a member of the German Club last year. In the fall, she plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in business or journalism. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sara Martinko, a senior at Canfield High School, has been a Girl Scout for 11 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Battered women and children at the Sojourner’s House are benefitting from her Gold Award project. Sara created handmade sock monkeys. Sara recognized that the children at the house are in need of some sort of enjoyment. She used this idea to complete a project that will bring smiles to their faces and in turn, their mothers’ faces. In addition to Girl Scouts, Sara is involved in competitive dance and summer tennis. She is also on her high school’s varsity track and field team and tennis team. At her high school, Sara is a member of Leo’s Club, symphonic and marching bands, and Y-teens. She plans to attend college after graduation. Sara Martinko Canfield, Ohio TROOP #80557 2011 G O L D AWA R D Rebecca Retallick, a recent graduate of Geneva High School, has been a Girl Scout for 11 years. Throughout her years as a Girl Scout, she has honorably received the Girl Scout Bronze and Gold Awards. Ever since she became a Girl Scout, it was always a goal of hers to take the lessons she learned from the program and to inspire those in her community. The beneficiaries of her Gold Award project are those residents of the Geneva Village nursing home, with the 20 bird feeders posted outside their windows. With the assistance of her troop, Rebecca helped to bring nature back to the elderly. Rebecca is an upstanding citizen of her community and her high school. She is active in both school and communityrelated activities. In her high school, she is a member of Key Club, Project Love, and the volleyball and basketball programs. Her academics are another thing that she takes great pride in; she graduated in the top 35 of her class, and also with an honors diploma. Rebecca plans on furthering her education by attending Kent State University in the fall, where she will study Special Education/Intervention Specialist MildModerate. Rebecca Retallick Geneva, Ohio TROOP #80462 2011 G O L D AWA R D Maggie Sharpe, a gradu- ate of Geneva High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 12 years. Maggie has volunteered as a Girl Scout Program Aide. In addition to Girl Scouts, Maggie is involved with Key Club, Assumption Church, and National Honor Society. Maggie has received the Good Citizen Award and vocal awards. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Bringing Nature to the Elderly, Maggie built 20 bird feeders and installed them at the Geneva Village Retirement community. “My project has influenced my life because it has shown me the joy of giving and made me want to continue volunteering in the future.” Maggie Sharpe Geneva, Ohio TROOP #80462 2011 G O L D AWA R D Bethany Woodley is the daughter of Rick and Gina Woodley. She has enjoyed keeping a busy schedule during her years at John F. Kennedy High School. Bethany is a four year member of the JFK Relay for Life Team, the Varsity Volleyball team (three year letterman and Co-Captain her senior year), and Student Senate. She served as Student Senate President, and as Assistant to the President of the Notre Dame School System. Bethany has participated in Science Club, Yearbook, Mu Alpha Theta, Political History Club, and was a Student Ambassador. She was part of the 2011 Academic Challenge team, a member of the National Honor Society, and a two year leader at the JFK Kairos Retreat. Bethany values her opportunities for community service and is a regular teen volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital, an altar server at St. Mary’s Parish, and has traveled to New Orleans as a Habitat for Humanity member. She was a member of the JFK 2010 Rostro de Cristo Mission Trip to Duran, Ecuador, where she worked at Damien House, a facility for Hansen’s patients. Bethany will be returning to Ecuador this summer, again as a member of the JFK Rostro de Cristo Missionary Team. A Girl Scout for the past nine years, she completed her Gold Award this past August. Bethany is active in the political arena as well, having been chosen as a Congressional Page for the United States House of Representatives during the fall of her junior year. This appointment had her living and working in our nation’s capitol for five months. She spent a week at Ashland University as a Buckeye Girls State delegate and was elected as an Appellate Attorney for the Supreme Court. Bethany is a Junior Member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She worked the polls for the Trumbull County Board of Elections this past November and May. On May 28th, 2011, Bethany graduated from Warren John F. Kennedy High School. As Valedictorian, she received her Diploma with Honors and the President’s Leadership Award. In the fall, she will attend Boston College where she will pursue a degree in Psychology, before entering Law School. Bethany Woodley Cortland, Ohio TROOP #80889 2011 G O L D AWA R D Marie Blatnik, the Salutato- rian of Padua Franciscan High School’s class of 2010, began Girl Scouts as a Daisy. Her Girl Scout Gold Award project taught children the sport of Orienteering. They learned vital navigation skills that they will continue to use the rest of their lives— in the car, in the beginning of high school, on massive college campuses, and in unfamiliar areas. The participants set out into the West Creek Reserve with maps, compasses, and guides who know the area well and can aid them in navigation. In addition to Girl Scouting, Marie is involved with robotics, kayaking, campus ministry, French Club, and a slew of extracurricular activities. She now attends Cleveland State University where she is pursing undergraduate degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering. Marie Blatnik Seven Hills, Ohio TROOP #71164 2011 G O L D AWA R D Lauren Britton, a graduate of Bay High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 13 years. She has actively participated in track and field, cross country, swim team, basketball, HUDDLE, Team Africa, Relay for Life, and National Honors Society. Using her musical talent, Lauren sang in the treble choir and she played both the tenor sax and the bassoon for the various Bay High School bands, including marching band, jazz band, stage band, symphonic band, concert band, pep band and pit orchestra. In addition to school activities, Lauren enjoys Girl Scouts, photography, mission trips, running the nursery at church, hanging out with friends, and baking. Lauren will be attending Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio to study nursing. Her goal is to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Lauren has earned both the Girl Scout Bronze and Gold Awards. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Lauren made a scrapbook of interviews and pictures that highlight Bay Village for its bicentennial celebration. She interviewed several people and took pictures of local businesses and parks. She also conducted four scrapbook workshops. The 2010 Bicentennial scrapbook is on display at the Bay Village Historical Society archives. Lauren Britton Bay Village, Ohio TROOP #70742 2011 G O L D AWA R D Mary Button is a graduate of Magni- ficat High School. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and has earned both the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Mary organized a sewing clinic for girls ages 5 and up. The clinic was comprised of two, 3-hour sessions with nearly 90 participants. During the sewing clinic, participants rotated through six stations, learning about hand-stitching, machine sewing, installing zippers and careers in sewing. Each participant completed three projects: a reversible headband and a Christmas tree ornament for themselves and a zippered pencil case for a student at an inner-city school. Each participant also received a detailed instruction booklet which reviewed the techniques and projects learned at the clinic so they could continue to make the projects at home. In addition to Girl Scouts, Mary has been a member of the National Honor Society, a participant in Campus Ministry programs at school and a member of costume crew for Magnificat productions. She has volunteered the past four years as the Chief Wardrobe Alumni Assistant for Saint Richard Theatre Company. Additionally, Mary is involved with her parish, St. Clarence, serving as a PSR teacher and an active member of the youth group. Mary is a young entrepreneur who owns her own business, Button Bags, where she designs and sells various types of bags. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati next year where she will study fashion design. Mary Button Westlake, Ohio TROOP #70645 2011 G O L D AWA R D Kati Corbitt, who is a 2010 Bay High School Katherine Corbitt Bay Village, Ohio TROOP #70750 graduate, currently attends John Carroll University and is involved with the Arrupe Scholars Program, and the varsity golf program. She is most proud of her participation and sisterhood in the Kappa Delta Sorority, which continuously supports Girls Scouts of the USA as one of their philanthropies and shares sisterhood with a local Girl Scout Troop. She also works as a driver for the Center for Service and Social Action (CSSA) and has volunteered with Boys Hope Girls Hope, the Fatima Family Center, Quantum LEAP and Warner Girls Leadership Academy in the past year. In addition to being a member of the Honors Program and an athlete, she has found time to participate and plan several service projects including the Cleveland Neighborhood Project, the Fatima Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Footprints for Fatima 5k Run, Kappa Delta Shamrock Late-Night Pancake Breakfast, and Hunger Awareness Day/ Oxfam Hunger Banquet. When she is not participating in service projects, she is working to receive her degree in Biology and Adolescent/Young Adult Education at JCU. She is the loving daughter of Peggy and Jeff Corbitt and believes that she would never have come to be who she is without their love and support. Kati’s Gold Award project was the creation of a training video for the teen volunteers who dedicate their time with the special participants of Youth Challenge. Youth Challenge is a non-profit organization that creates organized activities which children with physical disabilities are able to enjoy. These activities include, but are not limited to, swimming, bowling, golfing, sailing, skiing, sledding and are all adapted to the special needs of the child. Every child is paired with a volunteer who tends to the child’s every need as well as making sure the participant is having fun and is safe! Kati has been actively volunteering with Youth Challenge for the past seven years. Her love for this program and her concern for the proper care and love required to take care of these special kids influenced her to make this her Gold Award project. Looking back at her first years of volunteering, she remembers being a bit nervous thinking about the “what if this happens” or “what should I do if” questions when working with a participant. Kati felt “seeing or observing” how the other experienced volunteers and participants’ interacted with each other was the best learning tool for a new volunteer. She wanted to bring together this experience and the advice of veteran volunteers for incoming teen volunteers so they would be well-prepared to take care of participants expected and unexpected needs, such as difficulty speaking, random movements, care during meals and use of their special equipment (wheelchairs, walker, leg braces, van lift, etc). The video shows veteran volunteers taking care of the participants during activities and outings. It also shows special techniques and training. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Megan Cuthbert, a graduate of West Geauga High School, has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years. In addition to Girl Scouting, Megan has been involved with her church youth group, a suicide prevention leader, teen pregnancy prevention leader and a member of the Chagrin Valley Youth Board. Megan plans to attend Miami University and major in International Studies of Government and Law. For her Gold Award project, Megan set up a recycling booth at local church festivals. She also prepared a fact sheet about the benefits of recycling that she handed out while speaking to younger Girl Scout Troops. “I love knowing that I have influenced others and demonstrated the benefits of recycling. Every bottle counts and I know that I have been able to spread that knowledge to others. Advocating for something I believe in and making a change in my community will help keep the Earth clean so people can travel and enjoy it.” Megan Cuthbert Chesterland, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Abby Dunegan, a graduate of Chagrin Falls High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 12 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, she is involved with Key Club, cheerleading, Vacation Bible School and her church youth group. She received a superior rating at the State level in wind ensemble and she received the silver and gold medal in Irish dance. Her immediate plans include participating in the student exchange program: China with Bridge to the World. Abby is considering a career in International Law as an Environmental Agent. For her Gold Award project, Abby collected books for the English as a Second Language program at the Manow School in Tanzania. She also created 200 puzzles for the students. “By doing this project I discovered the rewards of being able to directly help people in another nation and have an effect on their lives. This experience has influenced my choice to major in International Studies and provided an opportunity to teach in Tanzania in the future.” Abigail Dunegan Chagrin Falls, Ohio TROOP #70833 2011 G O L D AWA R D Camille Eckel, a graduate of Bay High School, has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Camille ran a collection for animals at the Middleburg Heights Animal Foundation. Additionally, she held a booth at the American Cancer Society fundraiser Bark for Life. There, she and her helpers taught dogs agility training and made dog toys to be donated to the foundation. Camille participates in many events. She is a member of her Bay Village Girl Scout Troop, as well as the high adventure Girl Scout Troop of Greater Cleveland. She ran cross-country and was a member of the swim team for all four years of high school. Additionally, she is the president of her 4-H club. Next year, Camille will be studying in Brazil as an exchange student through Rotary Youth Exchange. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their help and support throughout the years. Camille Eckel Bay Village, Ohio TROOP #70742 2011 G O L D AWA R D Abby Glass, a graduate of Bay High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 12 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Abby has been involved with Key Club, Vice President of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Relay for Life captain, marching band and stage manager. Abby is also an AP Scholar. Abby has earned the Girl Scout Marian Award in addition to the Gold Award. For her Gold Award project, Going Back to Kindergarten, Abby remodeled a classroom at Glenview Center for Childcare and Learning. She painted the room, covered shelves, hung tiles and sewed and hung curtains. Abby collected educational toys and also built a mobile science and math cabinet. Abby’s future plans include earning a degree in biology from John Carroll University and mission trips with her church. Abby Glass Bay Village, Ohio TROOP #70750 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jaclyn Gleske is a graduate of West Geauga High School and has been a Girl Scout since Kindergarten. For her Gold Award she made packages for battered women to be distributed by local fire departments when they receive emergency calls involving abused women. The handmade bags included cell phones programmed to only call 911 and information packets for the women to get help. She hosted a spaghetti dinner and raised enough money to supply the WomenSafe shelter with a shed to store summer supplies. In addition, she worked with younger Girl Scout Troops to make care packages for the WomenSafe Shelter, which included toiletries such as toothbrushes, shampoo, and soap among other items. In high school, Jaclyn was a captain of the swim team, involved in band, and part of various school organizations. She will be attending The University of Akron in the fall. Jaclyn Gleske Novelty, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Shelby Hall, a graduate of West Geauga High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 13 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Shelby is involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, InterAct, Rotary Club, cross-country and track. Shelby plans to become a teacher after graduating from Slippery Rock University. Her Gold Award project, Help Our Heroes, sent care packages to military troops overseas through AnySoldier. com, an organization that sends packages to soldiers who don’t have some of the basic necessities. Shelby spoke to several classrooms, held three packing parties and sent 50 care packages containing hygiene products, games and snacks. “When I started my project, I was focused on boosting morale. Over the course of my project, I kept thinking about the good I was doing for our troops. I believe every box gave them some hope and faith in tomorrow.” Shelby Hall Chesterland, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jessica Herman, a graduate of West Geauga High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 12 years. She plans to attend Otterbein College or the University of Findlay and become an Equine Veterinarian. Jessica has earned the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Jessica’s Gold Award project “Rip, Strip and Prime” benefited her Pastor and his family as well as the congregation at Chesterland Baptist Church. Jessica organized volunteers to pull out carpet, strip wallpaper and prime all of the rooms in the house. She also organized the food and supplies needed for five days of work. “My project gave me new responsibilities and a new work ethic. It showed me the beauty of unity for a common goal.” Jessica has also been involved with National Honor Society, Geauga Hunger Task Force, InterAct Club and Rotary Club. She is a two-time winner of the Chesterland Rotary 4-way speech contest. Jessica Herman Chesterland, Ohio TROOP #70911 2011 G O L D AWA R D Megan Hobart, a senior at Wil- loughby South High School, has been in Girl Scouts for 10 years. She has earned the Marian Medal, Spirit Alive, and Girl Scout Silver Award as well as her Gold Award. The current and future parishioners of her church and her church’s partner parish, as well as the participants in the acolyte programs at both churches, are benefiting from her Gold Award project. As an acolyte at her church, Megan noticed the difficulties that the acolyte program was experiencing, including decreasing numbers of servers, a lack of structure in training, and a decreasing quality in the serving. In order to encourage more children to become involved in the parish community and improve the atmosphere of mass, Megan created a new and improved recruiting and training program. She wrote a detailed plan of how to serve each mass and made it available to those who need it, and then she put the plan into action. Ten new servers were trained, and the new plan will continue to be used. In addition to Girl Scouting, Megan is involved in her high school marching band as a color guard member, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Spanish Club as well as her church youth group. Megan plans to attend Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, or Xavier University as a pre-medicine and then medicine major after her graduation in June 2012. Megan Hobart Willoughby, Ohio TROOP #70320 2011 G O L D AWA R D Caroline Kelemen, a graduate of Westlake High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. For her Gold Award project, Caroline developed and built large recycling centers for the Lake Erie Nature Center (LENSC) and BayArts located in Bay Village. These centers are weather resistant and raccoon proof and constructed with all natural or environmentally friendly materials. Recycling cans were also provided for the LENSC administrative offices and kitchen. In addition to being a member of Westlake Girl Scout Troop 70273, Caroline is a member of High Adventure Troop 70330 and has served on the Girl Scout Teen Advisory Board and the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Board of Directors. She is a Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Award recipient and recently became a lifetime member of Girl Scouts. In addition to Girl Scouts, she has also been involved in Westlake Area Youth (WAY) Leadership Team, NASA INSPIRE Program, Westlake Porter Library Teen Advisory Group (TAG), Westlake High School Latin Club, debate team, marching band, concert band, Ski Club, Westlake High Broadcasting System (WHBS) and St. Ladislas Church. Caroline will attend Purdue University in the fall where she plans to study Environmental and/or Civil Engineering. Caroline Kelemen Westlake, Ohio T R O O P # 70273/70334 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jenny Klose is a graduate of Chagrin Falls High School and joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Jenny collected infant necessities for under-privileged new mothers. She created “Baby Bags” with the items and donated them to University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital. Through both donations and fundraising, Jenny was able to assemble 70 bags containing more than 1,000 items. In addition to Girl Scouts, Jenny is an active member of Key Club, International Club and Philosophy Club at Chagrin Falls High School. Also, she has played the piano since first grade. In the summer months, she is a camp counselor in Chautauqua, New York and is currently an after-school nanny. Jenny plans to attend Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio in the fall. Jennifer Klose Chagrin Falls, Ohio TROOP #70833 2011 G O L D AWA R D Lynsey Kovach, a graduate of Mentor High School, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. The St. Andrew Episcopal Church parish in Kirtland Hills is benefiting from her Gold Award project. The church is underprivileged due the economic times, and in order to cut costs their landscape became overgrown and unruly. St. Andrew gave her Service Unit so much over the years, and she felt obliged to help these generous people. Lynsey replenished the wild beds by eliminating weeds, creating new beds, edging and mulching. She also rejuvenated the outdoor chapel by cleaning the pews and painting the engraved crosses on the bases of the pews. The church was so grateful and astonished by her hard work that the church officials gave Lynsey a Proclamation Letter. In high school, Lynsey was a member of National Honor Society, Yearbook Club, and played for the freshman basketball and JV track teams. She was also involved in the varsity girls tennis team, being named MVP for two consecutive years. She is continuing her education at Miami University where she will major in business. Lynsey plans on going into medical health administration. Lynsey Kovach Mentor, Ohio TROOP #71174 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sarah Lipperman, a graduate of Bay High School, has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. Her Gold Award project benefited the patients of the pediatric Hematology/Oncology unit at the Cleveland Clinic. She made 60 drawstring bags filled with art supplies, toys, and handsewn bears. The bags were gender specific and catered to different age groups. Her intent was that if a patient or sibling of a patient was having a hard time, the bag will brighten their day and make their unbearable experience at the clinic a little more bearable. As a previous patient in the same clinic, Sarah wanted to give back to the patients because she knows how nice gestures, no matter how small or large, can really make a difference while receiving treatment. Girl Scouts has always been one of Sarah’s favorite activities. In addition to Girl Scouting, she is also a member of National Honor Society, was President of her high school Key Club, and was extremely involved in marching and symphonic band. This past year, she attended Ohio Northern University and has just recently completed her first year as a pharmacy student. In college, she is also involved in both bands and has recently become Vice President of Circle K. She also joined a service sorority to continue her desire to give back to the community. Sarah Lipperman Bay Village, Ohio TROOP #70750 2011 G O L D AWA R D Melissa Brooks is a gradu- ate of Magnificat High School in Rocky River. She has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years and has earned the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Her older brothers, both in the Marines, inspired her Gold Award project, which sent boxes of goods from her hometown to soldiers overseas. Melissa held an event at a bowling alley to collect items, raise money for shipping the boxes, and to give an opportunity for donors to sign a card to be included in the care packages. “The best part of my project occurred after it ended. I received many letters and emails from the soldiers, and seeing their words of appreciation let me know what I did made an impact and made it all worth it.” In addition to Girl Scouting, Melissa is captain of her track team, in the National Honor Society, and is heavily involved with Campus Ministry at Magnificat. She plans to attend The Ohio State University next fall, where she will be majoring in communications. Melissa Brooks North Olmsted, Ohio TROOP #70645 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jennifer Martynowski, a member of Troop 70645, is a graduate of North Olmsted High School. Throughout high school, she was heavily active in a theatre program called Eagle’s Nest Theatre. In the program, she built the stage sets for eight productions, and with so much time spent in the program she became a Thespian her sophomore year. This past school year she was Vice President. Each spring for the past three years, Jennifer was in the cast of NOHS’s spring musicals. Jennifer’s Gold Award project involved painting a mural for Eagle’s Nest Theatre, painting two additional signs, as well as updating a pre-existing sign. She hopes to attend Baldwin Wallace in the fall and major in Studio Art and minor in Theatre. Jennifer Martynowski North Olmsted, Ohio TROOP #70645 2011 G O L D AWA R D Andrea Miller, a graduate of Strongs- ville High School, began Girl Scouts as a Daisy. Throughout her journey, she has earned many awards, including 47 Try-its, 87 badges, 32 Interest Project Patches, all four Girl Scout religious recognitions and the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, plus she participated in various community service projects. In 2006, Andrea joined a high adventure Girl Scout Troop. In 2008, she sold nearly 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to support her troop and programming in Northeast Ohio. For her Gold Award project, Andrea conducted a hearing disability awareness workshop held at an elementary school in Parma. More than 247 fourth and fifth graders participated. Andrea spent numerous hours researching, planning and organizing the workshop. She also trained 12 individuals to conduct five teaching stations, which educated students about people with hearing impairments. In addition to Girl Scouts, Andrea has been an active member of her church and a member of a mission team in Cleveland. In 2009, she was a member of a mission team that went to Mexico. She has also been involved with Happy Hands, a sign language group. In school, Andrea was a member of the Marching Mustangs and symphonic band. She plays the flute, bassoon and baritone. She has also been active with Key Club, National Honor Society and is a D.A.R.E. role model. Andrea has taken PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Option) and many Honors and AP classes, which have prepared her for an education at The Ohio State University. Andrea plans to major in Speech and Hearing and become an Audiologist. Andrea Miller Strongsville, Ohio TROOP #70108 2011 G O L D AWA R D Justine Mroczka, a senior at Strongsville High School, has been in Girl Scouting for eight years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Justine is involved with Key Club and the Strongsville Historical Society. She plans to pursue a career in event planning and major in marketing. Justine has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Justine redesigned the Hannah Wernke Memorial Butterfly Garden. She worked with a professional landscaper to develop a plan for the garden. Justine also raised the money for the garden and organized a volunteer day to remove the unwanted weeds. After the garden was planted, she created a manual for the different plants in the garden and care instructions. Justine Mroczka Strongsville, Ohio TROOP #70544 2011 G O L D AWA R D Kalle Nelson, a graduate of Hawken School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. In addition to the Gold Award, Kalle has earned the Girl Scout Silver and Bronze Awards. Kalle entitled her Gold Award project, “Give a Shoe - Change a Life.” When she was 12 years old, Kalle learned about the plight of people with no shoes from her cousin, who had served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. Upon further research, Kalle discovered that there are approximately 300 million children in the world without shoes and Americans have an estimated 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. Working within her community, Kalle collected over 2,800 pairs of shoes, weighing nearly two tons, and donated them to Soles4Souls for global distribution. Kalle has participated in horseback riding for 11 years and competes in Dressage. She has served as a volunteer and camp counselor at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, is an intern at Hawken School’s Writing Center, and helped found Hawken School’s organic garden. Kalle participated in the Oxbridge Program and studied psychology and philosophy at The University of Oxford. She has been awarded More Light Scholarships for Community Engagement and Global Perspectives. Kalle plans to major in psychology at Lawrence University. Kalle Nelson Chagrin Falls, Ohio TROOP #70833 2011 G O L D AWA R D Rachel O’Connor is a graduate of West Geauga High School. She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. After having been recently diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, for her Gold Award, Rachel made approximately 50 starter kits for new Juvenile Diabetics. She worked with younger troops to make fleece tie blankets and get-well cards to help the new diabetic patients feel at home during their time at the hospital. Rachel also included a letter to each new diabetic including her own struggles and triumphs as a newly-diagnosed diabetic to help let the kids know that it is okay to be confused or upset, and to ensure them that it does get better after time. In addition to Girl Scouts, during high school, Rachel was part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Envirothon and Philosophy Club. She is now attending the University of Mount Union, where she is studying Early Childhood Education and Japanese, and plans to spend her spring semester of 2012 studying abroad at Kansai Gaidai in Japan. Rachel O’Connor Chesterland, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Julie Picha, a graduate of West Geauga High School, has been in Girl Scouting 12 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, she has also been involved with InterAct. Julie plans to pursue a career in accounting after graduating Lakeland Community College. Her Gold Award project, Kids in Motion, encourages children to become active. Julie created games, which provide children with some physical activity during recess at school, including a painting of the U.S. map, as a learning tool. Julie taught children in each grade to participate in the games, designed to them to become more active. Julie Picha Chesterland, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Megan Porter, a graduate of Hathaway Brown, has been in Girl Scouting for 13 years. In addition to Girl Scouts, Megan has been involved with Soles4Souls. She served as editor of Scripta, her school literary magazine, commentary editor of The Review, captain of the Hathaway Brown Varsity Debate Team, and captain of the Hathaway Brown FIRST LEGO League robotics team. She plans to become an Oncologist after college. Her mother’s experience with breast cancer inspired her Gold Award project. Megan researched breast cancer and developed an adolescent guide and an illustrated guide to breast cancer for young children. She enlisted the help of volunteers to spread the word at a booth at the Farmer’s Market. Both of her breast cancer guides are available at the school library. “Receiving this Gold Award is truly the culmination of all the years in Girl Scouts. It’s knowing that I’ve been with an organization for 13 years that has supported me through the many school changes and moves and hard times in my life. I am exceptionally grateful to the community for giving me the opportunity to help young adults in my school system learn more about women’s health issues.” Megan Porter South Russell, Ohio TROOP #70833 2011 G O L D AWA R D Emily Rydzinski, a Valedictorian graduate of Eastlake North High School, has been a Girl Scout for 11 years. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she revamped her city’s swim team, swim record board, and made an event announcement board for the city of Eastlake. The original record board with swim records dating back to the 1970’s was accidently destroyed during the renovation of the pool last year. The event board will allow patrons of the pool to know daily updates of activities at the pool. In addition to being a Girl Scout, Emily is also the historian for her school’s National Honor Society. She was a two-year Captain of the Flag Corp division of the Marching Band. Only one other person in the school’s 50-year history has had this honor. Emily is also an A-Honors student on the Academic Decathlon Team, a member of the Varsity Swim Team and is an active member of the Suicide Prevention Task Force. Emily will attend The University of Akron in the fall where she will major in Advanced Math Education, and she will also be a member of the university’s Flag Corp. Emily Rydzinski Eastlake, Ohio TROOP #71226 2011 G O L D AWA R D Amy Sil is a graduate of Lutheran Amy Sil Westlake, Ohio TROOP #70645 West High School and has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned multiple badges as well as the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Amy cataloged items in the Display Barn at Frostville for the Olmsted Historical Society. She took pictures of over 500 items, found the names of the item as well as where it came from, and worked with their Historian to do this. She then created a catalog on PowerPoint and saved it on a disc so it could be updated in the future. She was able to help preserve some of the history of her community by cataloging the items, which had never been done before. Amy has earned varsity letters in both softball and soccer. She is a member of Chorale and Singers and was picked for the PAC 10 Honors Choir in 2011. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Amy is active in her church youth group and volunteers in the community frequently. Amy is a Fenn Scholar and has attended an Engineering Summer Camp at Cleveland State University and shadowing opportunities at Kaiser Permanente for Pharmacy and the Cleveland Clinic for Biomedical Engineering. This summer she is working at NASA Glenn Research Center on a full-time paid internship. She will be attending the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jacqueline Stansbury, a graduate of Strongsville High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 13 years. She has been involved with National Honor Society, National Federation of Music Clubs, and National Society of High School Scholars. She has received numerous awards while participating in her high school marching band, pep band, and pit orchestra. Jacqueline applied her passion for music to her Gold Award project, a music room makeover at her high school and a music program at the Child Garden Daycare center. She donated musical toys to the daycare to help teach preschool children how to use instruments. Jacqueline plans to pursue a career in music education after college. Jacque Stansbury Strongsville, Ohio TROOP #70578 2011 G O L D AWA R D Erin Thomas, a graduate of Westlake High School, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and continues her Girl Scout involvement as a member of the International Travel Girl Scout Troop. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award she wanted to make learning science fun for grade school children and help them prepare for the 4th grade Ohio Proficiency test, specifically targeting homeschoolers. Erin set up several days at a nature center and at a library where children could learn about weather. A local meteorologist gave a hands-on demonstration on how meteorologists predict weather and how to make weather-predicting tools at home. Children went from station to station learning different things about weather and received take-home crafts. Erin wrote a training manual outlining the preparation and program timeline, room set-up, volunteer job descriptions, directions for hands-on projects, scripts for volunteers to use at each station, a list of area meteorologists willing to attend future programs, and all the materials needed for future programs. She also prepared and donated enough material for the library to repeat the program two more times. Erin Thomas Westlake, Ohio TROOP #71121 In addition to Girl Scouting, Erin was on her high school volleyball, gymnastics and softball teams and earned 10 varsity letters. She was volleyball and gymnastics team captain. Erin was also a member of the National Honor Society. Erin just completed her freshman year at West Virginia University where she is a 21st Century Scholar and is in the Honors Business School. She earned membership in two honor fraternities, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society and Phi Sigma Theta, and was on the Dean’s list. She is a member and officer of Sigma Kappa sorority. She was also voted 2011 Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity sweetheart. Erin will travel to China in 2013 with the International Travel Girl Scouts. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Olivia Tomsick, a graduate of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School, has been in Girl Scouting 11 years. She has also been involved with National Honor Society, Successful Teen Living, Medical Careers Club, Lion Pride Club, Student Ambassadors, Junior Varsity and Varsity tennis, and Vacation Bible School. She was nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. Olivia plans to work as an emergency room physician or a forensic anthropologist. For her Gold Award project, Olivia designed, cleaned and revitalized the landscaping at St. Andrew Church. She also held an Adopta-Garden day. “My Gold Award project has greatly influenced my life because I have developed leadership skills which will help me throughout my personal and professional life. I have learned the importance of time management, and I have developed communication skills.” Olivia Tomsick Mentor, Ohio TROOP #71174 2011 G O L D AWA R D Mahima Venkatesh, a graduate of Strongsville High School, has been in Girl Scouting since 3rd grade when she joined Troop 70108 as a Brownie. She has earned many Interest Project awards, the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards as well as the Cadette Leadership Award. For her Gold Award project, Mahima conducted a nutrition fair for elementary school children and their parents. This interactive event showcased healthy foods, recipes, and fitness information with 13 vendors. Nutritionists, dieticians, yoga instructors and fitness trainers also gave presentations. The mayor signed a proclamation declaring the day of the fair as “Nutrition and Wellness Day” in Strongsville. Mahima encouraged parents to contact their congressmen to vote for the National Child Nutrition Act. Mahima lettered in Varstiy tennis. She was awarded the MVP her senior year. She plays the flute in the symphony orchestra and has performed with the Boston String Quartet and performed at Carnegie Hall. Mahima has also been active in Key Club, Math Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. In the summer of 2010, she worked as an intern at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Mahima has been named a Nation Merit Commended Student, Presidential Scholar Nominee, and AP Scholar with Distinction. She has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Mahima plans to major in biology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Cincinnati. She has also been accepted to the Connections Dual Admissions Medical Program and the Turner Scholars Program. Mahima Venkatesh Strongsville, Ohio TROOP #70018 2011 G O L D AWA R D Hannah Zaim, a graduate of Chagrin Falls High School, has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Her Gold Award project, Green Up Your Life, helped her community recycle more than 2,000 phone books and taught younger Girl Scout troops about recycling and “being green.” In addition to Girl Scouts, Hannah has been an active member of Key Club and president of International Club at CFHS. She has been involved with Relay for Life for the past eight years and presently works at Hipster’s Exclusive Children’s Consignment. She will be working with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs for her Senior Project and plans to study International Studies and Arabic at The Ohio State University as an International Affairs Scholar. Hannah Zaim Chagrin Falls, Ohio TROOP #70833 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sarah Zucker, a graduate of West Geauga High School, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. People in the Cleveland area are benefiting from her Gold Award project. Sarah put on a benefit dinner with food that was donated. Sarah organized the dinner and prepared the food with the help of a few volunteers. The money she raised from the benefit dinner was used to buy food which was donated to Harvest for Hunger. Sarah also organized a group of volunteers to work at the Cleveland Food Bank numerous times throughout the summer, and she plans to keep volunteering at the Food Bank every summer. In addition to Girl Scouting, Sarah has been a part of three culinary competitions. She has just finished her first year at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami where she plans to earn an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s in Food Service Management. Throughout the school year, she has also volunteered at Feeding South Florida. Sarah Zucker Novelty, Ohio TROOP #70912 2011 G O L D AWA R D Julie Benedetto is a 2010 Julie Benedetto North Canton, Ohio TROOP #60584 graduate of North Canton Hoover High School and a Secondary Education major at the University of Dayton. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. The LifeTeen Youth Group of St. Paul’s Church in North Canton is benefitting from her Gold Award project. Julie worked on creating a better and more comfortable atmosphere for their youth group meetings. She collected, refurbished and cleaned couch cushions and foldable lawn chairs for the youth group to use. She noticed a need for changes in the atmosphere of her youth group and worked to strengthen the community. The program has already started to use these things and the environment has completely changed, increasing the sense of community as well. In high school, Julie was involved in band, Hoover’s Choir and Hi-Los programs, National Honor Society, the musicals and Drama Club, and of course, the LifeTeen program at her church. Since she has gone to college, she has become involved in retreat planning and various Campus Ministry activities. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sabrina Dooley is a graduate of Lake High School in Stark County. She works at Giant Eagle and is involved in several extracurricular activities including; marching band, jazz band and varsity bowling. Sabrina’s love and talent for bowling helped her develop her Gold Award project, which aimed to teach bowling to younger children and recruit new team members for her high school bowling team. She developed a curriculum for her bowing camp and recruited coaches to help the kids with their techniques. Her bowling program taught younger kids about bowling while instilling in them sportsmanship and confidence. After high school, Sabrina plans to attend Ursuline College and major in nursing. She will also be on the Ursuline College Bowling Team. Sabrina Dooley Uniontown, Ohio TROOP #60576 2011 G O L D AWA R D Sarah Gertz, a graduate of Louisville High School, has been in Girl Scouting for 12 years. While in school, Sarah lettered in track, participated in Relay for Life and was involved with her church. She did post-secondary schooling at Stark State, with the intent to become a Firefighter and EMT. For her Gold Award project, Sarah worked with the Louisville Public Library to develop a summer reading program specifically for deaf children but that also included those without disabilities. Sarah held three sessions and impacted 30 children. Sarah Gertz Louisville, Ohio TROOP #60378 2011 G O L D AWA R D Stephanie Hillensbeck, a graduate of Louisville High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Stephanie created a library for hearing impaired children to aid them in reading and sign language. Each book contained a DVD with someone signing the book and another reading it. She collected donated books, recorded the books with Susan Martz and Troops 60378 and 60718, and transferred each video onto DVD. The library is free to use for both parents and children and is located at Trillium Family Solutions in Canton, Ohio. Stephanie Hillensbeck Louisville, Ohio TROOP #60378 In high school, she was a member of the marching band and concert band, historian of French Club, member of National Honor Society, and a member of Key Club. Stephanie is currently attending the University of Mount Union to study Psychology and French, though in January 2012 she will be attending the University of Pau in France for the spring semester to further her French studies. At the University of Mount Union she is a staff member of the WRMU radio station, a sister of Delta Sigma Tau, a member of Lambda Sigma, Sophomore Honor Society, a Big Sis in the American Women’s Society, and a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Andrea Kardohely, a senior at Canton Central Catholic High School, has been a Girl Scout for 10 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, Gold and Marian Awards. She is President of the National Honor Society chapter at her school. Andrea is also involved in Crusaders for the Community and is preparing to leave for her second mission trip. For her Gold Award project, she chose to work at the Golden Key Daycare Center for Exceptional Children in Canton. “ I chose to do this project because I want to show others that people with disabilities need to be treated with respect and equality. They are just like any one of us. My brother has Down Syndrome and I want others to treat him like any other normal kid.” Andrea painted and built shelves, with the help of her grandfather, for an office and toy storage room at the daycare building. With the help of a younger Girl Scout troop, she organized their toys, books, and other things on the shelves to make the items used for therapy and teaching more accessible for the teachers. Andrea Kardohely Canton, Ohio TROOP #60145 2011 G O L D AWA R D Samantha Kaster, a 2010 graduate of Louisville High School, has been in Girl Scouting 13 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. In addition to Girl Scouts, she was involved in her church youth group, Praise Band. She also enjoyed babysitting and working at Quaker Steak and Lube. Samantha saw a need in her community to educate kids about health and how to be healthy. She developed a curriculum for her Health Awareness Day. Additionally she recruited volunteers and trained them to help her deliver her program. The kids enjoyed the day and took what they learned to create a healthier community. Sarah is currently attending Stark State College for nursing with the goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist. Samantha Kaster Louisville, Ohio TROOP #60378 2011 G O L D AWA R D Allison Londeree, a gradu- ate of Jackson High School in Canton, is very active in school and is involved in National Honor Society, Drama Club, Speech and Debate, marching and symphonic band, Science Club, People to People, and Buckeye Girls State. Additionally she volunteers her, time with the Love the Children organization. This group is very important to her, and she chose to do her Gold Award project with them. Each year the organization puts together a Christmas dinner and celebration for local families in need. Allison saw the need to make Christmas decorations that could be used from year to year. She gathered volunteers and Christmas decorations to make 80 Centerpieces and Christmas decorations. Her project brightened up the celebration this year and made it feel even more like Christmas for those in need. Next year Allison will attend The Ohio State University and major in Biochemistry. Allison Londeree Canton, Ohio TROOP #60771 2011 G O L D AWA R D Cassie Pyles is a graduate of Louis- ville High School. In high school, she was involved in a number of activities including concert choir, varsity singers, German Club, Drama Club, Post-Secondary at Kent State Stark, the marching band color guard, the Friendship Connection German Exchange program, and she was a German tutor for gifted elementary school children. “I always had plenty to do in high school and my Gold Award was such a great accomplishment because it took so much time and effort. I spent almost two years on my project from start to finish. My project was a program I created and taught with the assistance of some of the girls in my troop. The program took place at a local daycare. My program taught children about disabilities and health through activities, simulations, and games. I modeled the program after three different Girl Scout badges. I used a badge from the Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels. I planned the program, ran the program at the daycare and then I put together a badge box for each badge and donated them to Council.” “My project took a very long time, but it was completely worth it. It not only helped me with college, but it also gave me a huge sense of accomplishment, and I feel that earning this award is my big finale to my many years in Girl Scouts. The time and effort put into this award does not compare to the rewards that come with it. I know that my Gold Award will be a positive asset to anything I strive for in my life.” Cassandra Pyles Louisville Ohio TROOP #60378 “Thanks to Girl Scouts, I am studying Pre-Med Biology and German at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. I plan to do four years at Mount Union and then transfer to Marshall University in West Virginia for my graduate school years. When I am finally done with school I hope to specialize in the field of Neonatology.” 2011 G O L D AWA R D Stephanie Satrape is a 2010 graduate of Hoover High School in North Canton. She currently attends Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While in high school, she was active in many clubs including Speech and Debate and the Hoover High School Leadership Impact Club. She also wrote and took pictures for her high school newspaper, the Viking Views. Stephanie worked in the summer as a councilor for Camp Tippecanoe. Her love for this camp inspired her Gold Award Project. Stephanie worked with the camp to design and construct an interactive nature trail. In addition to the trail, Stephanie researched the plants and animals along the trail and created a brochure that will be used by the camp for years to come. Stephanie Satrape North Canton, Ohio TROOP #60584 2011 G O L D AWA R D Kaitlin Saunders currently Kaitlin Saunders North Canton, Ohio TROOP #60584 attends Norwich University and is a member of the Corps of Cadets. There, she is a War and Peace major with a History minor. After college her goal is to be a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps focusing on Intelligence. Kaitlin graduated from Hoover High School in North Canton. There, she was involved in many extracurricular activities including swim team, choir/A Capella Group, concert, jazz and marching band, and Youth Leadership Team. She also gave of her time with local charities including, Habitat for Humanity, Stark County Humane Society, YMCA, St Paul’s Catholic Church, American Sign Language Club and Project Mosaic. For her Gold Award project, Kaitlin wanted to develop a relationship between a charity and her high school. With the help of Toys for Tots she developed a giving campaign specifically for her high school. She recruited volunteers and developed teams who gave their time to create a Toys for Tots program at Hoover High School. Kaitlin said this about her project, “I hope that through this project, I will prove to be a great Marine; by being a Girl Scout first”. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Stacey McClelland is a graduate of Lorain Southview High School, as well as a graduate of Lorain County Community College where she earned an Associate’s of the Arts degree. Stacey is currently a student at Ohio Northern University, where she is majoring in Civil Engineering and International Studies. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, including Dean’s Award, Local Steelworkers Union Scholarship, Lorain Foundation Scholarship and the 2010 Girl Scout Scholarship. For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Stacey addressed the need for more school spirit throughout Lorain Elementary School. In Lorain County, particularly Lorain City Schools, there was a lack of school spirit. In the hopes of improving the school system, there have been nine new schools built in the last couple of years, and the idea was to help encourage the kids to take pride in their school, and enable them to express that pride through the spirit pole. “I learned a great many things about myself through this project. For starters, my project originally started out as spirit rocks. After approval by the Lorain City Schools administration, due to circumstances out of my control and change in personnel, my rock project was no longer approved. I had to change from spirit rocks to spirit poles. The principals were enthusiastic, and kids often echo the emotions of the adults around them.” Stacy McClelland Lorain, Ohio TROOP #50888 2011 G O L D AWA R D Jenna Plas of Grafton is a graduate of Midview High School. She worked hand in hand with Tiffany Urig to present dental hygiene information to all kindergarten and first grade students in the Keystone School District. They planned, designed and delivered the presentation, along with a child-friendly video which included an interview with a dentist, as well as a mock dental visit where every step of the process was explained in detail so that the children no longer feared the dentist. A copy of the video was presented to each classroom so that it can be used by the teacher in future years. To put the plan into action, the girls needed to do research, visit the dentist, and video tape a mock trip to the dentist. They also used a sense of humor during their presentation to the students by flossing an elephant’s teeth with a big piece of rope. “ My career choice is to become a pediatric dentist. I observed a pediatric dentist and saw the fear that goes along with being in a dentist office for children. I believe that if they have some knowledge of the dentist office the fear would decrease.” Jenna Plas Grafton, Ohio TROOP #50242 2011 G O L D AWA R D Morgan Rogers, a graduate of North Ridgeville High School, has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Inspired by her cross-country team and their need for a safe place to run, Morgan initiated and became chairman of a committee under North Ridgeville Friends of The Park that was dedicated to installing a two-mile ADA accessible walking trail in her city’s local park, South Central. Over the course of 12 months, Morgan and her committee raised $10,000 toward the $170,000 walking trail project through various money-earning activities, such as rummage sales, 5K races, Santa breakfasts, pie throwing booths and more. Morgan’s hope was to have the trail installed by fall of 2011 so that she would be able to use it in her senior year of cross country, however, the grant in which the city applied to cover the additional costs, did not go through. Morgan continues to work with her committee and has raised an additional $2,000 dollars toward the project. This project, when complete, will allow the middle school and high school track and cross-country teams a safe place to run. It will also impact the entire community by providing a place where people can exercise for free. Morgan plans to see this project through until the end. She will remain a member of Friends of the Park while attending college. Morgan Rogers North Ridgeville, Ohio TROOP #50525 In addition to Girl Scouting, Morgan is a member of the National Honor Society and student council. She founded, and is the president of, the high school’s Environmental Club. She runs track and cross-country. Morgan also travels and performs music, song and dance for the American Zagreb Junior Croation Tamburitzan group. She currently plays the Brac but has also played the Prim in this group. This is a Folk group that teaches kids about their cultural heritage. Morgan is attending Baldwin Wallace College in the fall to earn a degree in Sustainability and Environmental Sciences. 2011 G O L D AWA R D Caitlyn Tipple worked with Morgan Rogers on her Gold Award project. They decided that the City of North Ridgeville needed a safe place for people in their community to exercise, either by jogging, walking or using a fitness station. The local cross-country team will now have a safe place to practice, and those who have a wheelchair, or walker can use it because it will be made ADA accessible. This enormous project included meetings with the North Ridgeville Park and Recreation Department, the Mayor, and City Council. Together, the girls raised more than $10,000.00 dollars and have continued to work with the City of North Ridgeville writing grants for Federal Funds through the Department of Natural Resources to complete the trail. Caitlyn logged over 542 hours while working on her Gold Award project. This included planning and designing the trail, working with City Services, money earning projects, as well as attending and promoting their work at Friends of the a Park and community events. Caitlyn Tipple North Ridgeville, Ohio TROOP #50525 “ Throughout this project, I learned that I can do anything that I set my mind to...no matter how outrageous the idea is. We inspired others by facilitating money-earning projects that benefitted others. We had many newspaper articles about our project and even got interviewed by Ramona’s Kids on WKYC-TV. I felt empowered to make a difference by knowing that my project will benefit my community as well as surrounding communities.” 2011 G O L D AWA R D Tiffany Urig, a graduate of Midview High School, has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She earned both the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. For her Gold Award project, Tiffany planned and designed a program about dentistry that included a video on children’s dental hygiene and nutrition. The program was presented to 12 kindergarten and first grade classrooms within Keystone School District. Each child received a gift bag of dental products, including toothpaste, tooth brush, and dental floss. “I selected this project because I enjoy working with young kids and not many kids are taught how to properly brush their teeth until it is too late.” Tiffany now attends Ashland University, where she has just completed her first year. She is studying fashion merchandising as well as French, business administration, and marketing. Tiffany Urig Elyria, Ohio TROOP #50242 2011 G O L D AWA R D Christine Hoholski has been a registered Girl Scout for 13 years in the Vermilion Service Unit. She will graduate this year from Vermilion High School, as well as from Bowling Green State University with an Associate’s Degree in Science . Christine has earned every major award in Girl Scouting and is a member of the Beta Club, Leo Club, and the National Honor Society. Christine has also earned numerous service awards, including Senior Girl Scout Community Service Award, 2010 Softball 1st Team “All Lorain County” 2010 All Northeast District”, Varsity Academic Award, Varsity Tennis two years, Varsity Softball four years, and the Lorain Community College Presidential Scholarship. For her Gold Award project, Christine created a manual for running a softball skills camp for girls. She organized and ran the first annual softball camp for Vermilion High School, and the Athletic Department will use her procedure manual for future annual softball camps for girls in Vermilion. She also designed the procedure manual for any school district or organization that would like to duplicate her efforts. Christine Hoholski Vermilion, Ohio TROOP #50467 “Throughout my project, I was constantly learning. I gained practical skills by learning how to manage people, events and stress. I also gained organizational skills by documenting all of my efforts. I now know that I have the ability and the resources to become a great leader and hopefully will be able to use my leadership skills gained in my future.”