GSNYPENN Gold Award Girl Scouts // Class of 2025

Gold Award Girl Scout Celebration

Class of 2025 November 22, 2025

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Program Meet & Greet Class of 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts Opening Flag Ceremony GSNYPENN Girl Advisory Board Welcoming Remarks Julie Dale CEO, GSNYPENN Luncheon Keynote Address Jess Abbott Senior Vice President of Member & Business Experience, CenterState CEO Recognition of Class of 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts Erin Murphy Volunteer Services Director, GSNYPENN Recognition of GSNYPENN Change Makers Christina Verratti Vice President of Product Programs & Volunteer Services, GSNYPENN Presentation of Gold Award Scholarships Julie Dale Closing Remarks Tiffany Alvarez Smith, Ed.D. Board Chair, GSNYPENN

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GSNYPENN Gold Award Committee Meghan Barbay

Emily Pattison

Libby Bokal

Shelly Pattison

Tamara Harris

Brenda Sabol

Diane Hughes

Janis Werner

Julia Jurena

Holly Young

Samantha Lethbridge

Jennifer Zeigler

GSNYPENN Board of Directors Officers: Board Chair: Tiffany Alvarez Smith, Ed.D. 1st Vice Chair: Kathy Burke Barry 2nd Vice Chair: Katie MacIntyre Treasurer: Paloma Sarkar Secretary: Debbie Calkins

Members-at-Large: Tiffany Campau, Ed.D. Judi Dixon Tamara Harris Luana Lovenguth Morgan Prince Karen Roth Mike Sabo Faith Vavra

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Keynote Speaker

Jess Abbott Senior Vice President of Member & Business Experience, CenterState CEO Recently promoted to her role, Jess is chiefly responsible for driving value for CenterState CEO’s members.

She is the leading liaison in driving member engagement with the organization’s programs, services and initiatives.

Since joining CenterState CEO in 2023, she has fortified relationships with key members, sparked new engagements and achieved remarkable gains in member retention. With a background in business development, contract negotiation and social impact, Jess brings a deep commitment to equity, strategic growth and community success.

CenterState CEO is an independent nonprofit committed to creating inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth in Central New York. Its team of experts helps members, clients and businesses of all sizes start, scale, recruit and relocate. At its core are problem solvers working with partners in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to find collaborative and innovative solutions to advance the region and its people.

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The Girl Scout Gold Award & Take Action Project: Standards of Excellence Since 1916, the Girl Scout Gold Award has stood for excellence and leadership for Girl Scouts everywhere. The Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9-10) and Ambassadors (grades 11-12) can earn. Today, 18 GSNYPENN Girl Scouts join the ranks of generations of young people who have made a difference in their communities and beyond.

The Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable. The standards required to earn it are demanding but the rewards are many. Through pursuing the Gold Award, Girl Scouts change the world by tackling issues they are passionate about while they learn essential skills that will prepare them for all aspects of life. They problem-solve, inspire, advocate, educate and make a difference. The benefits in their communities and beyond are of lasting, positive change brought about by their efforts. As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more.

Girl Scouts earning the Gold Award must meet the following criteria: complete one Senior or Ambassador journey and earn the Silver Award or complete two Senior or Ambassador journeys. Girl Scouts then use their values and skills to identify a community issue that they are passionate about. They research everything they can about this issue and form a team to help them be successful in completing the Gold Award Take Action Project.

Each Girl Scout creates a plan for a sustainable project that has a national and/or global link. Once this plan is complete, the award candidate presents their idea to the Gold Award Committee for review and approval.

The committee also reviews and accepts the final reports. From start to finish, the Girl Scouts spend at least 80 hours choosing an issue, conducting research and completing their projects.

As Girl Scouts, they are part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)—the largest voluntary movement dedicated to youth in the world, representing 10 million members from 152 countries!

With their talent and passion, they are making changes in their community that can reach people around the world.

We applaud the commitment and dedication required to earn this award and are proud of our newest class of Gold Award Girl Scouts!

Please enjoy reading summaries of our Gold Award Girl Scouts’ Take Action Projects on the pages that follow.

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Class of 2025 GSNYPENN Gold Award Girl Scouts Aubrey Coyle Cicero, N.Y. Take Action Project: Inspiration is All Around Us Inspired by a close friend’s cancer journey, Aubrey addressed the profound impact mental health struggles have on cancer patients, caregivers and loved ones. She created a reflection journal for people with cancer and those affected by combining real cancer stories with reflective journal prompts and creative outlets. She led a journaling workshop at 13thirty Cancer Connect and distributed the journal there and at the University of Rochester Medical Center, among other cancer support organizations, while also publishing a digital version to support even more people. Some of her favorite Girl Scout memories are attending the 67th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations and taking a Caribbean cruise with her troop.

Aubrey is a graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. She is pursuing her passion for psychology and medicine as a pre-med student and continuing her softball career at Dickinson College.

Skylar Gargash Oneonta, N.Y. Take Action Project: Pollinator Power Skylar addressed the issue of pollinator habitat loss through presentations and workshops, educating the community and creating more than 100 pollinator houses for community use. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is attending Encampment Weekend at Amahami. Skylar will graduate from Oneonta High School in June and attend the State University of New York College at Geneseo to study forensic biochemistry.

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Sierra Green Buffalo, N.Y. Take Action Project: Sophia the Fierce Inc. Legacy Camp In honor of her fellow Girl Scout and friend, Sophia, Sierra planned and led the 2024 Sophia the Fierce Legacy Camp and created a sculpture for Pediatric Cancer Warriors in Western New York. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is laughing with her leader, Mrs. Annie, especially when Mrs. Annie picked her up after catching her on the ice while ice fishing. Sierra will graduate from Kenmore West Senior High School in June and plans to attend Daemen University, where she will major in business to help her achieve her dream of opening her own photography studio.

Isabel Griswold Oneonta, N.Y. Take Action Project: Reaching Neurodiverse Children Through Reading Isabel spread awareness of neurodiversity and literacy through a variety of programs and created a neurodiversity-friendly Book Nook for the Oneonta World of Learning Children’s Museum. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is being a cup of hot chocolate in the Oneonta Holiday Parade as part of the event’s “The Polar Express” theme. Isabel will graduate in June from Oneonta Senior High School and plans to attend college to study creative writing and English education.

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Angilee Haberer Central Square, N.Y. Take Action Project: Swinging Smiles Angilee addressed the ever-growing need for inclusivity in outdoor spaces. Through diligent research and work with professionals in the field, she educated herself on ways to achieve a better tomorrow for her community. Angilee used a variety of media, news coverage and local events to share her message. Her double bay swing set project brings all-inclusive vestibular play for all ages and abilities to her community for future generations to come.

Angilee’s favorite Girl Scout memory is being a member of the National Delegate Committee, which led to participation in the Parliamentarian Experience with her sister Girl Scouts. Angilee plans to attend Onondaga Community College to study to become an X-ray technician.

Kaitlin Hougland Syracuse, N.Y. Take Action Project: Keep Camp Hoover Beautiful Kaitlin informed people about the harm of zebra mussels and blue-green algae, both invasive species, in Song Lake at the council’s Camp Hoover property through various methods, including a Google Drive of resources accessed by scanning the QR code on the mural she painted at camp. Kaitlin and the team worked together to place the mural at the waterfront, next to the lake, for anyone who visits to see. (Access the Google Drive by scanning the code here.) One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is participating in Song Lake Shooters archery club based out of Hoover; she was a founding member and loved shooting and making lifelong friends. Kaitlin graduated from Jamesville-DeWitt High School and is currently studying art and design at Alfred University.

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Kelly Ingerick Branchport, N.Y. Take Action Project: Education of Invasive Species Kelly educated the community about four specific invasive species impacting New York’s Finger Lakes region: the round goby, giant hogweed, spotted lanternfly and emerald ash borer. Her goal was to train the public about how to identify, prevent and protect against the dangers of these invasive species to people and the environment through a variety of visuals, presentations and activities. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is traveling to Washington, D.C., in 2018. Kelly graduated from Penn Yan Academy and currently studies graphic media production at Finger Lakes Community College.

Aislin Jaskolka Whitesboro, N.Y. Take Action Project: Oneida County Bike Safety Improvement Project Aislin worked to address knowledge gaps about local bike safety laws and regulations, while improving helmet use in her community. She organized several Bike Rodeo events, created a multi-media campaign to educate the public and formulated an all-weather sign outlining bike regulations to be posted on trails throughout Oneida County. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is learning about the annual plush reward during cookie season. Aislin now attends Mohawk Valley Community College with a focus on pastry arts.

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Allyson Ladouceur Ogdensburg, N.Y. Take Action Project: Women of Historical Impact in Jefferson & St. Lawrence Counties Allyson highlighted the importance of historically significant women and their impactful achievements in her hometown and surrounding areas by offering presentations and speeches to her peers and local community, as well as writing a book. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is glamping with her friends and family. Allyson graduated from Immaculate Heart Central and is currently majoring in adolescent education at St. John Fisher University.

Mikalya Miller Newark, N.Y. Take Action Project: Protecting Our Pollinators Mikalya addressed the crisis facing native pollinators through a pollinator garden, school club and social media outreach. One of her favorite parts of her project was the garden fair that the Pollinator Club hosted for elementary students in her district. Mikalya graduated from Newark High School and is currently a psychology student at Elizabethtown College.

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Sneha Poranki Vestal, N.Y. Take Action Project: Sensory Room at Ideal Senior Living Sneha’s project is dedicated to her late grandmother, Mrs. Padhma Gopalan, who passed in June 2024 after suffering from ovarian cancer and dealing with dementia. She lived with Sneha and her family, which Sneha says made her realize how sensory stimulation and socialization help cognition. Visiting local nursing home Ideal Senior Living since the age of 2, Sneha wanted to engage residents in meaningful activities and found through her research evidence that demonstrated sensory rooms increase mood, behavior and overall awareness in dementia patients. She created a room to provide a stimulating environment, mentally engaging activities and better quality of life to help residents’ cognitive function and decline. Sneha was honored that Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo attended the opening ceremony and helped with the ribbon cutting. She would like to thank Administrator James Shadduck at UHS Senior Living at Ideal, her mentor Vicki Ollerenshaw and her family for their support.

Sophia Randolph Baldwinsville, N.Y. Take Action Project: Dribbling to Better Health Sophia organized a three-day camp, Dribbling to Better Health, to make a positive impact on children’s physical fitness, nutrition and mental health through education, knowledge sharing, learning activities and having fun. Specialists volunteered to lead each area of the camp, which was offered free of charge to girls entering grades 4-6.

One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is working with members of the 2024-2025 Syracuse University Women’s Basketball team who volunteered to run basketball drills and games at her camp. Sophia graduated from C.W. Baker High School and plans to study math education at North Carolina State University.

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Aarohi Rastogi Jamesville, N.Y. Take Action Project: Health Beyond the Body Aarohi developed a mental health education curriculum for schools in India, driven by the alarming tragedies caused by the lack of mental health awareness. By collaborating with mental health professionals and organizations globally, she created workshops covering crucial topics such as stigma, anxiety and suicide prevention. She had the privilege of teaching over 400 students across three schools, aiming to raise awareness, equip them with coping strategies and spark ongoing conversations about mental health. This project deepened her understanding of empathy, teamwork and the critical need to break the silence surrounding mental health.

Rayna Reed Jamesville, N.Y. Take Action Project: Middles & Mentors Rayna created a mentoring program for 7th graders at Christian Brothers Academy to help them transition to the high school’s rigorous schoolwork. She researched the impact of COVID-19 on young children’s learning and developed a resource still thriving today: for 7th graders to come to 9th graders for help on homework, locker organization and eventually, just because they had made a friend in their mentor. More than one-third of the 2024-2025 7th-grade class utilized the program and half were recurring mentees. The program also impacted freshmen mentors as well; the group, with little previous interaction, bonded with each other and advisor Mrs. Lenish and developed leadership skills in the process. Rayna now understands the different ways in which children learn and develop, especially after COVID-19, and hopes to enter a field in which she can learn more about cognitive development and the science behind it, to later impact even more people and marketing to help people meet their needs.

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Lyla Rivard DeWitt, N.Y. Take Action Project: Upcycled Runway Lyla prepared for her upcycled runway event by hosting an informational meeting in her community on the dangers of fast fashion and how to avoid it by upcycling, followed by a crochet and sewing workshop. At the runway event, participants strutted in clothing that they made using techniques Lyla taught them or upcycled items in their own unique way. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is primitive camping on an island and bringing only what the troop could fit on kayaks.

Isabella Robbins Newfield, N.Y. Take Action Project: Fighting for Women’s Equality in Sports Isabella addressed gender inequalities seen in sports locally and nationally. She established an annual basketball clinic in her hometown to educate young female athletes about the importance of standing up to the inequalities women face on and off the court. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is traveling to Savannah, Ga., with her troop and visiting Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace.

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Valerie Wansink Ithaca, N.Y. Take Action Project: TheThirdLook—Helping Youth Heal from Body Shaming & Bullying Valerie created TheThirdLook to help young people heal, recover and build self-confidence after experiencing body shaming and bullying. Based on 350 interviews, her evidence-based program includes a curriculum with workbooks, guides and videos, along with an online community at TheThirdLook.org. The program is now being used by youth organizations nationally to empower teens to redefine self-worth beyond appearance. Valerie recently graduated from Lansing High School and is studying psychology at the University of Chicago. One of her favorite Girl Scout memories is writing and acting out plays with her troop at camp and singing karaoke on the long car rides there.

Kyndra Williamson Johnson City, N.Y. Take Action Project: Making Music Memorable & Meaningful Kyndra addressed the lack of student interest and involvement in public music activities by creating an after-school program at her high school called Music Mentors to engage middle school musicians by connecting them with high school musicians. This allowed each middle schooler to have a music mentor to provide positive feedback and encouragement.

Students then performed at the Johnson City Annual Music Festival to showcase their skills. One of Kyndra’s favorite Girl Scouts memories is taking an overnight trip to see the musical “Hadestown” in Syracuse with her troop. Kyndra graduated from Johnson City High School with a fine arts diploma and is currently studying music education and performance with a concentration in trombone at Ithaca College. She plans to return to Johnson City as a high school band director with the goal of “making music memorable and meaningful” for all students who pass through her program.

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2025 GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship Recipient Aanya Verma Take Action Project: BeatHemorrhage Youth for Maternal Healthcare GSUSA’s scholarship recognizes one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project exemplifies the award’s core standards. Alum Aanya Verma of Manlius, N.Y., a member of our Class of 2024, joined a group of 110 recipients who received funds this summer to help defray college tuition costs.

Her project addressed a critical public health issue: the lack of awareness about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. An estimated 14 million women—about five percent globally—experience PPH each year, and 70,000 do not survive.

Aanya aimed to change this by educating youth about this life-threatening but often preventable condition.

She founded BeatHemorrhage International, a nonprofit that raises awareness of PPH through a website and social media outreach. Locally, she partnered with SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Best Beginnings program, Crouse Hospital and CNY Women’s Health to share information and resources. Aanya also created an informational brochure for hospitals and clinics outlining PPH risk factors tied to racial and financial disparities, guidance for safe delivery planning and ways for expectant mothers to advocate for their care.

Her work has reached more than 3,500 people globally.

“Being a Girl Scout has given me the space to become my true self, surrounded by girls who care deeply and leaders who believe in me,” said Aanya. “Creating BeatHemorrhage was my way of carrying that strength and compassion into the world to fight for mothers whose stories are too often unheard.”

A June 2025 Fayetteville-Manlius High School graduate, Aanya is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health at Syracuse University and will continue on to complete her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University.

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Class of 2025 Change Makers Change Makers are GSNYPENN Girl Scouts who’ve accomplished the incredible feat of earning all our Movement’s highest awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold. We’re excited to honor their impressive achievement today!

Class of 2024 Gold Award Girl Scouts

GSNYPENN Class of 2024 Gold Award Girl Scouts at last year’s celebration.

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Class of 2025 Silver Award Recipients The Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6-8) can earn. Cadettes work solo or in small groups to research the cause of an issue they care about, create a plan to address it and take action to improve their community.

Emily Blackman Mackenzie Bitner Alyssa Cavalluzzi Riley Cherwinski Addison Civiletto Christina DeCaro Leah Diaz Kennady Dunlop Lia Kay Fenton Brogan Fielding Haley Flint Eve Fox Sarah George Iyanna Griffin Asher Harris Elizabeth Hendrich

Addison Israel Brianna Johnson Jennifer Johnson Raina Kaelin Caitlyn Klei Harper Koberstein Kinley Konopski Marika Konopski Alexa Krone Emily Lawrence Adalynn Lowry Amelia Moore Emma Moss Maddison Naples Achol Ngor Kenzie Phillips

Kathleen Pizzuto Morgan Powell Bristol Risley Dominique Rowser Victoria Schertzer Eva Solomon Kassandra Thomas Taylor Townsend Georgia Van der Sterre Grace VanGorder Hannah Vargas Kennedy Vitale Emma Warren Rylie Winfield

Congratulations, GSNYPENN Silver Award Girl Scouts! We celebrate your dedication, leadership and commitment to making the world a better place. We can’t wait to see what you pursue for your Gold Award projects!

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S’more to Give Silent Auction: Support Future Gold Award Girl Scouts Just like every marshmallow, graham cracker and piece of chocolate comes together to make something special, every dollar raised in our silent auction adds up to create something more—an opportunity to help future leaders.

Proceeds support council scholarships for our next class of Gold Award Girl Scouts.

These extraordinary young leaders have made a lasting impact in their communities by earning the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Your support helps these changemakers receive the recognition and resources they deserve to keep making a difference as they pursue their passions and take their leadership to the next level with college, career or service goals.

By bidding, you’re not just winning a basket or prize—you’re investing in the future of a Girl Scout leading with courage, confidence and character. Together, we can ensure every Gold Award Girl Scout has “s’more” opportunities to thrive.

Because with your support, there’s always S’more to Give.

Scan the code to place your bid now!

Bidding remains open through midnight on November 23.

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GSNYPENN Scholarships Seven members will be awarded council scholarships today. To earn an award, the recipient’s Gold Award project must demonstrate the highest level of leadership, measurability, impact, use of resources, community engagement and sustainability among the current class. $19,000 in scholarship monies was raised this year towards higher education or vocational training program expenses for our Class of 2025.

Funds came from our Women of Distinction event, Boilermaker 15K Charity Bib program and donations.

We hope this fund continues to grow to support lifelong learning that builds young people of courage, confidence and character beyond their Girl Scout experience.

Three named scholarships are presented in memory of special Girl Scout sisters we lost in 2019: Marie Hepworth Lifelong Girl Scout, Executive Director of Indian Hills Legacy Council for 20+ Years (In the amount of $6,000) Kelly Perkins Lifelong Girl Scout, Bronze & Silver Award Recipient, GSNYPENN Summer Camp Staff Member (In the amount of $5,000) Kerrie Black Lifelong Girl Scout, GSNYPENN Regional Support Manager for Broome & Delaware Counties (In the amount of $4,000)

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Additional scholarships presented today were made possible by the generosity of our donors: GSNYPENN Staff Scholarship Recognizes council staff fundraising efforts, including participation in events such as the Boilermaker 15K Charity Bib program (In the amount of $1,000) Women of Distinction Scholarships Made possible by the support of donors through our annual Women of Distinction event (In the amounts of $1,000) Special Scholarship in Memory of Irene Ingalls One-time gift in honor of alum Irene Ingalls, who passed away in November 2024, an exemplary troop leader and longtime supporter with a remarkable family legacy spanning four generations of Girl Scouts (In the amount of $1,000)

With Gratitude Thank you to our sponsors for their support of today’s celebration. You’ve helped our Gold Award Girl Scouts shine!

CH Insurance Claire Kepner Former Indian Hills Legacy Council & GSNYPENN Council Board Member Lou Santaro

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Girl Scout Mission, Promise & Law Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

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. 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.

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