Gold Award Girl Scouts

Kylie Daly Bay Service Unit

Troop 123

Lifecycle and Importance of a Butterfly

Kylie Daly’s Gold Award project aimed to address the importance of the butterfly. Her project outlined the lifecycle of a butterfly, and her primary goal was to educate children about the impact that a butterfly can have on our environment and the importance of pollination. She created a garden for butterflies to pollinate and a fun activity for preschool children to learn about the butterfly lifecycle and why they are necessary to the ecosystem. Kylie created an educational packet that targets preschool children to teach them how butterflies develop from larvae to butterfly over approximately 2-3 weeks, the importance of pollination, and respecting the environment.

The preschool at the YMCA agreed to maintain the gardens in the future. The groundskeepers will water the flowers and keep the gardens clean, and every year, teachers will be incorporating this project into their curriculum. Kylie is part of the Bay troop and is passionate about protecting and preserving nature and the environment.

Emma DeFrancesco Oceanside Service Unit

Troop 626

W.O.R.K. Club (Work Opportunity Resource Konnection)

Emma DeFrancesco embarked on her Gold Award project by providing students with help and coaching for each stage of employment searching. She assisted students with writing resumes and cover letters, practicing mock job interviews, and developing other skills needed to successfully land a job. Another chapter of Emma’s club is opening up in her district’s middle school, and Emma’s hope and plan is that as the club naturally grows and thrives in her school community, other communities will learn about it and want to create similar clubs.

Emma goes to Oceanside High School. She is involved in the school’s gay-straight-alliance club, Thespian Honor Society, and the symphonic orchestra. Emma will be attending the University at Buffalo this fall studying Anthropology.

Julia DaSilva

WARM Service Unit

Troop 1805

Head Concussion Prevention

For her Gold Award project, Julia DaSilva developed a website and YouTube channel to spread awareness about the dangers of head concussions. She successfully presented her Gold Award project to local Girl Scout troops at public events like the Floral Park Lions Club, “Connect 22”, and at the Mineola Memorial Library. She also connected with Corpus Christi CYO to teach head concussion prevention to the participants of the basketball program. Coaches will continue to spread awareness by incorporating Julia’s presentation as part of the training required to participate in the program. Her resources can be accessed through her website and YouTube channel. Julia is a graduate of Mineola High School, where she was president of the Literary Society, a member of the yearbook staff, and captain of the varsity cheer squad. Her fondest Girl Scout memory is zip-lining at Frost Valley. Julia is studying Criminology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Charlee Denzler WARM Service Unit

Troop 1805

Charlee’s Closet

Charlee Denzler created a closet at Hour Children, a non-profit organization, stocked with personal hygiene products for women and children who have been affected by incarceration. Hour Children helps incarcerated and formerly-incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families, and build healthy, independent, and secure lives. Through discussions, presentations, surveys, and social-media platforms, Charlee educated women and children on the importance of hygiene and using related products. In addition to education, Charlee procured bath towels and products through a donation drive involving the Mineola community.

Charlee has been very engaged with activities throughout high school. In addition to being an Honor Roll student, Charlee was in marching band for five years and was a section leader. She participated in Student Service Center acts and was in the travel volleyball club. She also swam for LIAC (Long Island Aquatic Center) and CYO swimming. Her fondest Girl Scout memory is making unforgettable memories with her troop.