2018-2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony
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2018-2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony Recognizing young women making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. 2018–2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony President’s Message Welcome to Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s 2018-2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony! For more than 100 years, the Gold Award has established a legacy, not only for the young women who achieve it, but also for the communities that have benefitted. Although it has evolved from its beginnings in 1916 as the Golden Eaglet of Merit, it has always held its place as the highest award in Girl Scouting, which is a testament to the leadership and determination of every girl who has earned it. We thank you for joining us in honoring the outstanding achievements of 33 young women who have continued that legacy by earning their Girl Scout Gold Award. We look to the future as we recognize 132 Girl Scout Cadettes who are following in their footsteps by earning the Girl Scout Silver Award and 390 Girl Scout Juniors who are earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award. These young leaders all demonstrate hard work and passion, and in doing so touch lives and improve our communities of today and the future. Today, these young ladies join the alliance of women who took the initiative to assert themselves as leaders and community advocates, and made meaningful, sustainable changes in their communities and around the world. Please spend some time speaking with these inspiring young women and learning about their projects. I promise you will be in awe of their dedication, perseverance, compassion, and overall character. They are our future business and community leaders, and they possess the skills and ambition to overcome any obstacle or task that comes their way. We honor them here today as they move into a new phase of life, following paths that lead them to continue to be enthusiastic visionaries. Congratulations to all of the 2018-2019 Gold, Silver, and Bronze award recipients. These young women are leaders and innovative change-makers. We can all be confident that whatever their aspirations, with Girl Scouts as part of their backgrounds, these young women will continue to make all of us at GSWCF proud! We wish them the best in all their future endeavors. Lastly, a special thank you to all of the Girl Scout Gold Award mentors and parents for their help in guiding the girls to achieve their goals, and to the committee members for this wonderful event. Sincerely, Laura Webb Webb Insurance Group, President Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, Board President GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA June 8, 2019 Event Program Welcome: Lila Gross, Mistress of Ceremonies, Reporter for News Channel 8 WFLA and Great 38 WTTA Flag Ceremony: GSWCF Toppercrest Service Unit Message from Our President: Laura Webb, Board President Go Gold Manifesto and Recognition of the 2018-2019 Silver Award Girl Scouts: Kelly Flannery, Board Secretary MOWW Presentation: Major Jim Haney, USMC retiree and a Companion of The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) Sons of the American Revolution Award Presentation: Colonel Patrick Niemann, U.S. Army retiree, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Marine Corps League Auxiliary Presentation: Sandra Totz Fry, Department Judge Advocate, Marine Corps League Auxiliary Presentation of Ann Hensler, Hoxie, and GSWCF Scholarships: Jennifer Telfare, Gold Award committee member Congratulations to the Honorees: Jessica Muroff, CEO Presentation of the 2018–2019 Girl Scout Gold Awards Gold and Silver Award Girl Scouts Closing Song Closing Flag Ceremony: GSWCF Toppercrest Service Unit GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA 2018–2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony Ann Hensler Scholarship Recipients Antonia Mason, Tampa Antonia created the Little Free Pantry of Hyde Park in response to the food insecurity affecting the homeless and lower income families in her community. Little Free Pantry is a movement that started in 2016 to combat hunger across the country. Antonia built the pantry located at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. She brought awareness to her cause and requested donations through the church newsletter. The pantry is being sustained by church members and the Merge Youth Group. Antonia is a graduating senior from H.B. Plant High School and plans to attend Florida Southern University in the fall as a pre-med major. Antonia is actively involved in several activities at her school including Best Buddies, Model United Nations, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and First Priority, and is serving as executive vice president of La Sertoa. Antonia is the daughter of David and Tina Mason. Megan Simonelli, Wesley Chapel Megan developed the Getting Back on Track with Math Tutoring program to help students struggling at math pass the end-of-course exams. She set up tutoring sessions with other student volunteers after school, during homeroom, and in adult education classrooms. As a result of her tutoring program, at least thirteen students passed the adult education class and recovered a math credit that was needed for graduation. In addition, her school plans to continue the tutoring program after she graduates. Megan is a graduating senior from Pasco High School. She is actively involved in many activities at her school including Parent Teacher Student Association, Cambridge Ambassadors, National Honors Society, Interact Club, Future Business Leaders of America, cheerleading, and History Club. She also volunteers with Moffitt Cancer Center and American Cancer Society Relay. Megan is the daughter of Robert and Christine Simonelli. Sabrina Snyder, Seminole When Sabrina noticed the sitting area outside Suncoast Community Church was uninviting and posed a safety issue with unstable benches, she decided to take action by developing the Communion Garden. She envisioned a beautiful place outside of the church for people to pray or to gather and experience fellowship. Sabrina and a team of volunteers made her vision a reality—giving the area an overhaul by adding new benches, plants, and re-mulching the area. The church gardener plans to sustain the project by maintaining the area. Sabrina is currently a junior in a homeschool program. She is actively involved in her community serving as the president for a venture crew and secretary for her 4H Club. In addition, she volunteers four hours every Saturday at Horses for Handicapped which is an equestrian program that works with special needs children. Sabrina is the daughter of Richard and Sonja Snyder. To earn a scholarship, a girl must have received her Girl Scout Gold Award; be a currently registered Girl Scout; have a GPA of 3.0 or higher; and submit an application, a list of Girl Scout accomplishments, awards, community and volunteer activities, and a 500-word essay on how she discovers, connects, and takes action. GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA June 8, 2019 Hoxie Scholarship Recipient Alexis Beital, Zephyrhills Alexis started her Sticks & Stones project to help girls who have experienced bullying, dating violence, and mental health issues. By bringing awareness to these topics, Alexis wants girls to know they are not alone in the issues they face and there are always people they can talk to about these situations. Alexis created a website with resources, gave several presentations to groups of girls, and distributed resource packets to help others open up about their issues and seek help. Alexis is a graduating senior from Zephyrhills High School and plans to attend Keiser University in the fall to study Crime Scene Technology. She is actively involved in her community by volunteering with Toys for Tots, Main Street Zephyrhills Night/Light Parade, Mystery Dinner, Hope for Warriors, and Ladies of the Oriental Shrine. At school she serves as vice president of the National Art Society. Alexis is the daughter of Randy and Jeanette Beital. GSWCF Scholarship Recipient Rebekah Clark, Seffner Rebekah gave students access to books while promoting the importance of literacy with her Readbox project. She recruited three local businesses to sponsor the Readbox free book exchange program at their location. With a team of volunteers, Rebekah hosted opportunities to help with the construction and installation of the three Readboxes. She promoted her project through social media and with posters at local schools raising awareness of the many mental health benefits associated with reading. Rebekah is a graduating senior from Strawberry Crest High School and plans to attend the University of Alabama to study aerospace engineering. She holds several leadership positions in school activities including varsity swim team assistant captain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes president, 3D Printing Club secretary, National Honors Society secretary, and Senior Class Council. Rebekah is the daughter of Tim and Erin Clark. GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA The Highest Award in Girl Scouting The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable Take Action projects that have sustainable impact in their communities—and beyond. In 100 years, one million girls have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent. University research indicates that adding the Gold Award to a college application is a critical element in the admissions decision process. • According to the 2012 National Girl Scout Alumnae Study, Gold Award Girl Scouts place significantly higher importance on having a successful career and financial security, being leaders, and they are more likely to believe that they are achieving their life’s ambitions. • A number of colleges and universities recognize the achievements and leadership abilities of Gold Award Girl Scouts by establishing scholarship programs for them. Girl Scouts of the USA publishes the Scholarships for Girl Scouts Directory (girlscouts.org) and all Gold Award Girl Scouts and their families are strongly encouraged to check it out. Seniors in high school can also apply for a council scholarship.