Award Ceremony & Scholarship Recognition 2025
May 20, 2025
Congratulations, Girl Scouts!
Dear Girl Scouts,
Congratulations on achieving the highest award that a Girl Scout can earn! Through this incredible achievement, you have exemplified the Girl Scout Law and have truly made the world a better place!
We recognize the tireless dedication and commitment you have shown. 48 of you earned the prestigious Gold Award! All combined, a minimum of 4,465 hours were spent taking sustainable action in your communities throughout New York City! This year you tackled issues including environmental sustainability, mental health, education, civic engagement, systemic racial and cultural injustice, and so much more. Throughout this process, you ensured that your incredible ideas were actionable and sustainable.
This year’s ceremony theme, Gold Grows Here, truly embodies your personal leadership journeys. You are stellar examples of nurturing community-minded projects into action; you represent the leadership development of Girl Scouting. We have seen you blossom through your Gold Award projects. This is just the beginning, and we know you will all continue to uphold the Girl Scout Law and make the world a better place!
Again, congratulations! We are all so proud of you!
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Karen Lundgard Interim Chief Executive Officer
The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.
Gold
Award by the Numbers
The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
4,465 hours of work completed by the 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts.
48 Girl Scouts from the Greater New York council earned their Gold Award in 2025.
Keynote Speaker
Kelly Gahm
Kelly Gahm is a Senior Director at New York Life Investors with nearly 20 years of experience in fintech and investment management. She leads strategic transformations, focusing on data collection, integration, and actionable reporting, with an emphasis on emerging technologies like Generative AI. Kelly has a proven track record in driving complex change and inspiring highperforming teams.
Before joining NYL Investors, Kelly began her career on the fixed income trading desk at ED&F Man, working closely with the COO and CIO.
Emcee
Tamika Philip
Tamika Philip, a proud Brooklyn native and lifetime Girl Scout member, began her journey in 1999 as a Brownie in Troop 412. Her commitment to community service and girl empowerment continues today through her roles as Troop Leader for Cadette/Senior Troop 2035 and Gateway 1 Service Unit Co-Manager.
While attending Howard University, Tamika began her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of Nation’s Capital. She later served as a Service Unit Trainer for the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and as a Service Unit volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania before returning to Brooklyn. Her dedication to the Girl Scout mission has remained unwavering: to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.
Outside her professional role, Kelly is dedicated to advancing inclusion and leadership development. As co-chair of The Women’s Initiative at NYL Investors, she empowers members through leadership, career growth, and community-building. She also leads impactful partnerships, including one with the New York Life Foundation, supporting organizations such as the Girl Scouts of Greater New York.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Monmouth University, graduating magna cum laude and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
Tamika is a strong advocate for leadership, girl-led experiences, and civic engagement. She has mentored many Girl Scouts, organizing camping trips, cookie booths, and community service projects. Her passion and leadership have earned her numerous awards, including the GSGNY Outstanding Volunteer Award, the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award, and the 2024 GSGNY Leader of Excellence Award.
Outside of Girl Scouts, Tamika is a Senior Technology Consultant and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Howard University and an M.B.A. in Technology Management from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
Taniyah Alleyne
BROOKLYN, NY
Promoting Environmental Justice in Communities of Color
Taniyah’s Gold Award project addressed environmental injustices in low-income communities, focusing on e-waste disposal. She hosted workshops on recycling and safe disposal practices, created drop-off stations for old electronics, and empowered others to advocate for environmental equity in their neighborhoods.
Sashi Atkinson Osorio
QUEENS, NY
Empowering Girls with STEM
Sashi’s Gold Award project inspired young women to pursue STEM careers. She hosted workshops for over 100 girls, helping them earn badges and gain confidence through hands-on lessons. Sashi also launched the “Stars and Beakers” podcast, featuring stories of women in STEM to inspire the next generation.
Annie Bacani
QUEENS, NY
Aid Annie’s Orphans
Amaya Bell
BROOKLYN, NY
It’s a Family Affair
Grows
Amaya’s Gold Award project celebrated African American culture and heritage by sharing inspiring family stories of resilience. She partnered with genealogists to host workshops and created Family Affair Kits (FAKs) to help start family trees. Amaya also organized a Grandparents Day celebration, genealogy workshops, and a DNA movie night.
Shania Benjamin
BROOKLYN, NY
Students Helping Students
Shania’s Gold Award project addressed the shortage of professional tutors for students with learning differences. She created a peer tutoring program at her school, supporting students on the autism spectrum with classwork and homework. The project included an in-class buddy system and an after-school homework help program for all students.
Annie’s Gold Award project tackled healthcare shortages in rural, poverty-stricken areas of the Philippines. She created a sustainable medical supply line and website to raise awareness, educate communities, and distribute personalized First Aid kits to over 100 orphans, addressing both immediate needs and long-term healthcare access.
Dara Bernstein
QUEENS, NY
Dara’s Sustainable Delights
Dara’s Gold Award project promoted sustainable living by sharing affordable, eco-friendly recipes and raising awareness about climate change, food waste, and food insecurity. She taught others to repurpose food typically discarded, like turning veggie scraps into stock or overripe bananas into banana bread, and advocated for plant-based meals with a lower environmental impact.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
Leah Bragg
BROOKLYN, NY
En Garde! Fencing Access for All Leah’s Gold Award project tackled the underrepresentation of African Americans in fencing by hosting workshops and raising awareness about free and low-cost fencing programs. She also taught families about the NYC Department of Education All Access program, which allows students to join sports teams at other schools.
Emili Cekic
NEW YORK, NY
Childhood Cancer Awareness and Support
Emili’s Gold Award project raised awareness about childhood cancer by engaging young people in card-making activities for pediatric cancer patients. This initiative boosted the mental health of the children receiving the cards and inspired participants to take further action, including advocating for increased funding and research.
Olivia Brizan
BROOKLYN, NY
Breathe Free Anti-Vaping Campaign
Olivia’s Gold Award project focused on combating youth vaping among middle and high school students through education and community engagement. She created a PSA website, hosted roundtable discussions for peers and parents, distributed informational materials at local events, and advocated for increased awareness by reaching out to her senator’s office.
Milaura Chery
BROOKLYN, NY
Navigating Medical Apartheid
Milaura’s Gold Award project focused on the lower standard of medical care often received by people of color, highlighting issues like high maternal mortality rates among Black women and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. She raised awareness through educational workshops on medical bias and self-advocacy.
Adanya Bynum
BROOKLYN, NY
From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed: Pamphlet on Sensory Inclusive Spaces
Adanya’s Gold Award project raised awareness about the sensory challenges individuals with autism face in everyday environments. She highlighted the need for inclusive design in public and private spaces to accommodate sensory needs. Her project aimed to build a more empathetic, accessible, and inclusive society for children and young adults with sensory sensitivities.
Eskyla Chesson
BROOKLYN, NY
Fashion for All
Eskyla’s Gold Award project addressed the global issue of fast fashion and clothing waste. She raised awareness by offering affordable ideas and methods to repurpose existing clothing, encouraging people to reuse and reduce waste instead of discarding their garments.
Grows
Janaya Corbett
BROOKLYN, NY
Air We Breathe
Janaya’s Gold Award project focused on addressing air pollution in train stations to protect public health, the environment, and economic well-being. She educated her community on the dangers of subway air pollution, offering ways to reduce exposure and advocate for cleaner transportation. Through public hearings and brochures, she raised awareness about healthier travel options and support for those affected by subway-related respiratory issues.
Ariam Daniel
BROOKLYN, NY
Food for Thought: Cuisine is Culture
Ariam’s Gold Award project used food to foster cultural connection and intergenerational conversations. She collected recipes from her Ethiopian, Italian, Trinidadian, African American, Kenyan, British, and Somali heritage and hosted a community dinner to share these dishes. Ariam also filmed the experience for a short documentary and prepared meals for the Pan African Film Festival.
Stavroula
Gabriel BROOKLYN, NY
The Perfect Bundle
Stavroula’s Gold Award project addressed the waste caused by fast fashion and overconsumption. She collected unused clothes and redistributed them to high school students in need, helping them feel confident for events like school dances and college interviews while promoting sustainability and reducing clothing waste.
Raissa Garcia-Hall
BROOKLYN, NY
Stop Cat Calling
Raissa’s Gold Award project addressed catcalling by promoting women’s safety and educating men. She created a Zine with tips for women on responding to street harassment and used chalk messages to raise awareness. Raissa also collaborated with football coaches to host workshops, encouraging young men to change harmful behaviors.
Maya Emert-Wiggins
BROOKLYN, NY
Civic Promoter
Maya’s Gold Award project tackled the lack of civic engagement caused by age, voter disenfranchisement, and the misconception that participation is only needed during elections. She created a website to highlight the history and impact of voter disenfranchisement, offering alternative, safe methods of political engagement for immigrants and minors, and emphasizing that meaningful change can happen beyond the ballot box.
Zuzanna Gerlak
QUEENS, NY
Students for Animals
Zuzanna’s Gold Award project involved founding the “Students for Animals” club at her high school to raise awareness about animal issues and create an educational space for students. She developed a curriculum with activities, fundraisers, and research projects, and launched a website and Instagram to help others start their own chapters.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
Kamala Gururaja
BROOKLYN, NY
Primary Source Box on the South Asian Experience
Kamala’s Gold Award project made information about the South Asian American immigrant experience more accessible at the Library of Congress. By sharing her research journey, she inspired kids and families to explore their communities and passions through historical and social research, encouraging independent exploration using the library’s resources.
Ella Hawkins
BROOKLYN, NY
Project Red Light
Mia Hernandez
BRONX, NY
You Matter!
Mia’s Gold Award project promoted self-love among youth by leading workshops that encouraged students to embrace their unique traits positively. Through activities focused on building confidence, understanding growth vs. fixed mindsets, and discussing insecurities, students learned to see their differences as strengths. Mia also started an anti-bullying group and has been invited to share her message at school.
Ella’s Gold Award project educated high school students on women’s issues, focusing on gender equality and celebrating women’s contributions. She designed lesson plans, taught them at her school, gathered feedback for improvement, and created a website to provide easy access to the materials for teachers and students.
Danica Haynes
BROOKLYN, NY
Drumline: The Lack of Marching Bands in NYC Public Schools
Danica’s Gold Award project addressed the lack of marching band exposure in New York City public schools. She organized workshops and community outreach events to highlight marching band history, HBCU opportunities, and scholarships, while introducing students to majorette dancing and music theory, expanding their awareness of musical and cultural opportunities.
Mia
Hernandez Williams
BROOKLYN, NY
To HBCU or Not to HBCU Mia’s Gold Award project explored how students of color can determine whether a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Primarily White Institution (PWI) is the right fit, while also dispelling myths about affirmative action in college admissions. Mia’s bilingual (English/ Spanish) workshops included expert interviews, extensive research, and student campus visits.
Anna Holden
BROOKLYN, NY
TASSEL: Teaching and Sharing Skills in English Language
Anna’s Gold Award project provided free English lessons to children in rural Cambodia, focusing on practical communication, confidencebuilding, and cultural exchange. By equipping them with essential language skills, Anna aimed to empower these students to pursue brighter futures and contribute to their country’s development.
Iris Janicki
NEW YORK, NY
Rat-ical Rat Reducer
Iris’ Gold Award project created a humane, visually appealing solution for urban rat control. She designed bait stations that house rat contraceptives and double as planters. This sustainable approach improves the streetscape, addresses health and environmental issues, and reduces the rat population without unsightly poison boxes.
Asha Kanuteh
BROOKLYN, NY
Sensory Escape Bags for Students
Asha’s Gold Award project provided sensory tools to elementary schools across New York State. These bags help students with sensory differences or those needing a safe space to decompress. Asha also created a blog to raise awareness about neurodivergence and sensory development in schools.
Giselle Jones
BROOKLYN, NY
On the Right Track
Giselle’s Gold Award project tackled gender bias in sports, where boys’ teams received better treatment and funding. She helped establish a girls’ track team, focusing on skill-building in their first year. Her advocacy led to lasting changes, with her school expanding athletic opportunities for female athletes.
Nepemba Katembo
NEW YORK, NY
Rat-ical Rat Reducer
Nepemba’s Gold Award project designed a discreet rat bait station using SenesTech’s Evolve Soft Bait, a humane contraceptive that reduces the rat population without harming other animals. She also focused on educating the community about proper waste disposal, working toward solutions that improve health for both humans and animals.
Layana Jones
BROOKLYN, NY
Pretty Pressure
Layana’s Gold Award project created workshops for teenage girls, including her fellow Girl Scouts, to explore healthy relationships with themselves. Topics like self-love, self-care, and confidence/ insecurities sparked open conversations on social media’s impact on self-image, helping participants build a positive sense of self.
Kalliopi Kiladitis
BROOKLYN, NY
I’m Okay: Scoliosis
Unraveled
Kalliopi’s Gold Award project raised awareness about scoliosis, a condition that often goes unrecognized unless there’s a known family history. Through brochures, presentations, and sharing personal advice, Kalliopi aimed to provide the resources and support she wished she had, hoping to educate others and offer encouragement to those newly diagnosed.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
Georgia Klonari
BROOKLYN, NY
Read All About It—NYICE Times
Georgia’s Gold Award project focused on helping young people identify misleading news on social media. She cofounded a school newspaper and created a club to promote fact-based journalism and encourage print news readership. Georgia aimed to raise awareness about social media’s impact on news consumption and critical thinking.
Asia LallmohamadCaceres
BROOKLYN, NY
Lights on After School
Asia’s Gold Award project, Lights on After School in my Brooklyn Community, raised awareness about the critical impact afterschool programs have on children and families by highlighting their role in providing a safe, enriching space beyond the classroom. Asia collaborated with local organizations, businesses, and residents to support the sustainability of these programs through advocacy.
Dominique-Dawne Lorde
BROOKLYN, NY
Giving Back to My Community
Dominique’s Gold Award project addressed hunger and poverty in Bedford-Stuyvesant by helping restart two food pantries and launching a breakfast program with the community service team. She also provided families with information about other local resources for additional support, combating hunger in an area with limited resources.
Jasmine Matos
QUEENS, NY
Promoting the Life Saving Knowledge of CPR
Jasmine’s Gold Award project focused on educating individuals and families on how to respond during cardiac arrest emergencies. By raising awareness and teaching life-saving skills, Jasmine empowered people to act confidently in critical situations, helping others at home or in public when someone collapses and isn’t breathing.
Sophie Megson
NEW YORK, NY
Learning to Go Green Through Composting
Sophie’s Gold Award project addressed the lack of awareness and misinformation surrounding eco-friendly practices, particularly composting. Sophie created educational videos, social media content, and presentation materials to inform and inspire people to start composting correctly, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste.
Annamaria Moog
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Little Free Library
Annamaria’s Gold Award project tackled low literacy rates and a lack of reading enthusiasm by creating a Little Free Library. This initiative encourages community book sharing and fosters a love for reading, making books more accessible and inspiring lifelong readers in the community.
Aicha Ndiaye
BROOKLYN, NY
American African Connections
Aicha’s Gold Award project built bridges between cultures by creating a pen pal network connecting young women in Senegal and Brooklyn to explore shared and unique experiences in food, education, religion, and culture. She also supported education in Senegal by sending school supplies to a local school.
Ava Paidarakis
BROOKLYN, NY
Pick-Me-Up Purses
Ava’s Gold Award project, Pick-Me-Up Purses, supports girls in foster care and women in shelters by providing personalized purses filled with beauty items that promote self-worth. She also created partnerships and hosted wellness events to encourage self-care and boost emotional wellbeing for these individuals.
Lailah Powell
BROOKLYN, NY
Disaster Response and Relief Equity
Lailah’s Gold Award project tackled inequities in disaster response and emergency preparedness for people of color and underserved communities. She partnered with Office of Emergency Management staff to provide education, resources, and Go Bag supplies like flashlights, first aid kits, and emergency contact cards. Lailah also hosted outreach events to teach residents about disaster risks and evacuation options.
Bryana Quintero
QUEENS, NY
Summer Success
Ciara Petitfrere
BROOKLYN, NY
The Skin I’m In Ciara’s Gold Award project involved creating a selfportrait to express her identity as both Black and Chinese. Through this graphic design, she sparked conversations about identity and heritage, encouraging mixed-race individuals, especially Black and Asian teens, to share their experiences and embrace all parts of who they are.
Bryana’s Gold Award project, Summer Success, addressed the summer learning gap by providing under-resourced families with books, school supplies, and access to educational resources. Partnering with organizations like Queens Public Libraries, she led a book and supply drive and hosted an event to engage K–12 students in literacy.
Sydney Renelique
BROOKLYN, NY
Peru Empowered through Education Engagement
Sydney’s Gold Award project tackled learning loss in Peru, caused by COVID-19 shutdowns. She addressed literacy challenges by providing educational resources, remote learning programs, teacher training workshops, and community-based literacy initiatives to support school-aged students.
Gold Award Girl Scouts
Nia Rivera
BROOKLYN, NY
Danse Afrique
Nia’s Gold Award project addressed the lack of African diaspora dance classes at her school. She hosted an African dance intensive and classes, educating the public on African dance’s influence in North and South America and the Caribbean. The project concluded with a commemoration ceremony at the African Burial Ground.
Cassidy Robles
BROOKLYN, NY
Project Spotlight
Nia Swan-Lovelock
BROOKLYN, NY
Jambo Means Hello
Nia’s Gold Award project addressed the lack of African languages in NYC public schools, despite many students identifying as African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino, or Biracial. She raised awareness, organized language learning opportunities, and advocated with local politicians to include African languages in the school curriculum.
Cassidy’s Gold Award project organized free dance and theater classes with a team of performers and collected supplies for low-income dancers. To ensure lasting access to the arts, Cassidy shared her curriculum with the NIA Community Services Network after-school program in NYC.
Grace Ruocco
BROOKLYN, NY
The Protectors Club
Grace’s Gold Award project addressed pollution in Staten Island parks and beaches by creating a student-run club called The Protectors. The club organized beach cleanups, hosted environmental events, and provided students with opportunities to learn about and actively help the environment.
Tianna Sweet
BROOKLYN, NY
Food Fights: Addressing Food Deserts
Tianna’s Gold Award project addressed food deserts in her community by creating a map of green markets and affordable food sources. She educated residents on where to find fresh produce and meat, raising awareness about the lack of healthy food options in underserved areas.
Monet Tomczak
BROOKLYN, NY
Down Syndrome and Autism Awareness
Monet’s Gold Award project raised awareness about children with Down syndrome by distributing informational pamphlets and encouraging respectful interactions. She also advocated for a dance class for children with special needs at her dance school and ensured the brochure was shared during Down syndrome awareness events.
Scholarship Recipients
Dr. Harry Britenstool Scholarship
The Britenstool Scholarship is endowed in honor of Dr. Harry Britenstool for Girl Scouts of Greater New York. It is designed for graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors demonstrating academic success, a dedication to serving their communities, and career goals oriented towards medicine, science, or citizenship.
Congratulations to the 2025 Recipients!
Josephine Hession
Tara Leahy
Sasha Leitner
Nia Swan Lovelock
Megan Lutz
Hannah Maher
Sydney Renelique
Emily Wong
Jeannine Zephrin
Future Woman of Distinction
Sarah Lin
Each year at the Women of Distinction benefit, Girl Scouts of Greater New York recognizes one Gold Award Ambassador Girl Scout who embodies courage, confidence, and character as the Future Woman of Distinction.
Through their commitment to community service, high academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership skills, they have distinguished themself as an exceptional role model for their sister Girl Scouts. Sarah’s Gold Award project made the movie theater experience more accessible for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Through partnerships with theater venues across her community, she helped implement improved captioning, open caption screenings, staff training, and awareness efforts.
Carmen Dubroc Bright Future Scholarship
This college scholarship is for registered Girl Scout of Greater New York members ages 14 to 18 interested in pursuing a career in the arts, education, civil service, the nonprofit sector, or STEM. Recipients must have a dynamic Girl Scout history, demonstrate community service and participation in extracurricular activities, and show a solid commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
The Carmen Dubroc Bright Future Scholarship was established as a gift by Lewis Haber to recognize GSGNY Board President Emeritus Carmen Dubroc.
The 2025 winners are:
Kamala Gururaja
Cassidy Robles
Thank You!
Thank you Girl Scouts of Greater New York Highest Awards Coaches! Your support with training, mentoring and reviewing all Silver and Gold Award Projects is invaluable!
Thank you Troop Leaders, Project Advisors, Parents, and Caregivers for your unwavering support of your Girl Scouts as they have grown into incredible leaders and made positive sustainable changes in their communities!
Thank you to the Highest Awards team!
Maggie Vasquez, Vice President
Elena Nussbaum, Program Manager
MeryJoe Martinez, Program Coordinator
Thank you to St. Francis College for their generous support.
For scholarship resources and Gold Award information, visit girlscoutsnyc.org, or email us at highestawards@girlscoutsnyc.org.