May 18, 2006

More than 100 awards presented at ‘On the Wings of Girl Scouting’ ceremony

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

“We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God and by acceptance of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, do dedicate ourselves to the purpose of inspiring girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens. We believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one. We affirm that the Girl Scout movement shall ever be open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and law.”

—Preamble of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA

On a day as bright and shining as the smiles on the young women who were honored, the Girl Scouts presented bronze, silver, gold and 10-year pins at the On the Wings of Girl Scouting event to Service Unit 42 this past Sunday.

Troop 902 gathers together to celebrate a job well done. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Attending the event were District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle (once a Girl Scout herself), Girl Scouts Associate Executive Director Michelle McCormick, Project Cornerstone Executive Director Mary Patterson, 116 bronze and silver awardees and 10-year pin recipients. Family and friends were also in attendance to celebrate the young women’s achievements at Joint Venture Church on Camden Avenue.

“It is truly fitting that today’s ceremony is named On the Wings of Girl Scouting, because participating in Girl Scouting has given all of us wings to soar to our highest potential,” said Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County Associate Executive Director Michelle McCormick. “All of the awardees here today have spread their wings and have done things they have wouldn’t have tried if they weren’t in Girl Scouts. I am honored to be here. They are outstanding young women and will surely be our future leaders.”

History
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America started in 1912 and is the world’s largest organization with more than 2.8 million girls aged 5 through 17 and 942,000 adults. More than 40 million American women have been members of the Girl Scouts since its founding. The mission of the Girl Scouts is to build courage, confidence, and character, where girls can make the world a better place.

Girl Scouting started in Santa Clara County in Palo Alto in 1922. By April 13, 1962, the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County was formally established with 11,521 registered members. Today, over 16,000 girls and 8,000 adults are registered. Girl Scouts Service Unit 42 with the merging of troops in Almaden, Willow Glen and Blossom Valley now has 1,100 members.

Bronze award recipients
Daisy Girl Scouts of Troop 47 who received bronze awards were Emily Ferry, Jenna Gouveia, Samantha Jordan, Rachel McGuy, Megan Riggio and Carissa Wilson. Their project was Daisy Day. Their troop leaders are Deena Ferry and Deborah Gouveia.

Troop 86’s project was a blanket to brighten spirits. Caitlan Conlin, Emily Griffith, Jillian Marquard, Demi Pace, Anusha Praturu and Deanna Sendig received their bronze awards. Their troop leaders are Michelle Marquard and Carla Sendig.

Cadette Girl Scout Racheal Hartman eloquently discusses her hummingbird sanctuary project for her silver award.

Troop 117’s members are Lauren Kim, Emily Barker, Marni Bergstrom, Kelsey Blackstone, Ashley Cancilla, Liselotte Caris, Yumi Cha, Kaitlyn Craft, Renee Crouzet-Pascal, Megan Dingley, Maya Ghormley, Madeline Perretta, Divya Samu, Elizabeth Seger and Christine Yen. They provided blankets and books to the San Jose Family Shelter as well as spending time with the families sharing snacks, crafts and games. Their troop leaders are Suzie Cancilla and Leticia Crouzet-Pascal.

Troop 233 provided fleece tie blankets for the San Jose Family Shelter. Members who received their bronze awards were Taylor Foote, Jennah George, Maddison Hyde, Nicole Klein, Katy LaPlante, Jennifer Politoski and Janelle Wesolowski. Their leader is Kathy Wesolowski.

Troop 297 received their bronze awards for blankets of love. The girls receiving awards were Jennie Chang, Katie Cihla, Heidi Goodrich, Shannon Haley, Megan Herbst, Michelle Hirano, Haley Kepp, Amanda Rockwell and Maddie Salah. Their troop leaders were Kristin Salah and Wednesday Stacy.

“Personally, I learned how to use a sewing machine and how to make a quilt,” said Heidi Goodrich. “As a group we learned to make a fleece blanket … but most of all we learned how to work together as a team.”

Troop 571 consists of Aneska Alino, Jennifer Covey, Sarah Escobedo, Christina Lopez, Amy Lozano, Mary Shoenberg and Alicia Lehman who received their bronze award for cleaning up the lunch area. Their troop leaders are Linda Lozano and Julie Goschy.

Troop 729’s project was welcome bags for shelter children and teens. The girls receiving their bronze awards were Romie Asplund, Tara Badwar, Lauren Colvin, Judy Ho, Nisha Kumar, Ritika Kumar, Rebecca Neimeyer and Anya Vindla. The girls made bags and gave toys to the Women’s Shelter. Their troop leaders are Suzanne Colvin and Kari Kumar.

Troop 902’s project was Animal Try-it Day. Mackenzie Burt, Devin Collins, Mitalia Dalal, Jenny Foot, Sarah Khosla, Caroline Ledna, Nika Shamshirian, Sarah Tanase and Leah Timpe received their bronze awards for donating 80 cat toys and 200 cans of cat food to an animal shelter. Connie Ledna and Susan Timpe are their troop leaders.

Troop 1345’s project was hospital kid kits for the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. Vidhi Amin, Sarah Chung, Rachel Gracey, Lauren Kalbefleisch, Eva Kelly, Dana Saville, Alexis Tanner and Sydnee Vega received their bronze award for creating 100 kits. Their troop leaders are Robin Balthrope and Cindy Kelly.

Troop 1361’s project was generations. The girls receiving their bronze awards were Alicia Edwards, Hannah Marianetti, Kelsey Pope and Sarah Yeider. Their troop leader is Shannon Pope.

“This is an awesome day,” said mistress of ceremonies Jennifer Moyen-Logan in her opening remarks. “So many girls are receiving their pins for what they have achieved and how they are growing. That's what the Girl Scouts is all about.” Far right: Moyen-Logan awarding Troop 1361.

Troop 1364’s project was garden design and planting at Almaden Lake Park. Lauren Almeida, Emily Bordelon, Alyssa Gohata, Maya Kaul, Katie Kohler, Katie Kupec, Michelle Montrose, Erin Orsley, Simone Silver and Savannah Smith received their bronze awards for beautifying the park. Their troop leaders are Margaret Almeida and Mimi Kupec.

Troop 1406’s project was Operation Care packages—writing letters, collecting donations and sending supplies to United States soldiers in Iraq. The recipients of the bronze awards were Lindsay Castagnola, Michelle Fisher, Kellie Jahncke, Katarina Klask, Kylee Knowles, Megan Laranjo, Annalisa Lopez, Alina Murphy, Amanda Plant and Mikaela Rubi. Girl Scout Christine Franks received her award for Brownie Safety Day. Their troop leaders are Laura Klask and Janean Plante.

Silver award recipients
The silver award recipients were Stephanie Spindler, Britney Bylund, Krista Gaffney, Emily Weller, Racheal Hartman, Danielle Drogos, Pamela Jimenez Cardenas, Danielle Hernandez and Nicole Kohlman.

“I joined the Girl Scouts when I was in first grade and now I’m in ninth,” said Rachael Hartman, a cadette Girl Scout who was a recipient of a silver award for her hummingbird sanctuary. “It gives you lots of confidence and it teaches you how to accomplish things.”

Ten-year pins
Jaya Kasiraj, Katherine Lucitt, Darly Gouveia, Sarah McLinden, Patricia Lovelace, Megan Schott and Maddie Takaki received their pins for 10 years of service in the Girl Scouts.

“The Girl Scouts program really promotes positive values in the community and helping the community is what our society needs to make our world a better place,” said Project Cornerstone Executive Director Mary Patterson.

For more information on the Girl Scouts call (408) 287-4170 or visit www.girlsoutofscc.org.