Gold Award Girl Scouts

Gretchen Murphy Garden City Service Unit

Troop 1432

A Sunny Tuesday in September

Gretchen Murphy recognized that her generation, born after 2001, did not have a true understanding of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. She viewed television footage, watched documentaries, and interviewed first responders who survived the rescue efforts. Gretchen created a presentation targeted to middle and high-school students to educate them on the history and real-life events of that day. She shared her presentation with Girl Scout troops, peer groups, and high school history classes. Her materials have been adopted by high school teachers for their AP Government curriculum. Gretchen hopes that this education will ensure that we truly never forget this historic day.

Gretchen is a senior at both Garden City High School and Long Island High School for the Arts. She is a member of the International Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, and is a drugs and alcohol presenter for Peer Educators. She is active in the Chaminade Darby Players theatre club, is a dance captain, and has performed in eight plays and musicals. Gretchen’s favorite Girl Scout memory is her troop’s trip to Hawthorne Valley Farm. Gretchen will attend Marist College.

Nicole Nietsch Seaford/Wantagh Service Unit

Troop 3022

Promoting Female Athletes

Nicole Nietsch realized that most young girls are enrolled in dance or gymnastics activities instead of sports. She learned there are differences between the way girls and boys are treated in the world of sports. Girls are not always given the same opportunities as boys. Her project provided a way for young girls to learn the sport of basketball without pressures from others. She created a website that provides basic training and warm-up drills, as well as important information for athletes. As a three-sport varsity athlete, she wanted other young girls to have the same chances she had on the courts. She shared this website with elementary school gym teachers to ensure that her message would get to the right audience.

A recent graduate of Seaford High School, Nicole ranked in the top 25 percent of her class. She was a drum major in band, a member of the soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams, and received a Scholar Athlete award. Her fondest Girl Scout memory was sleeping over at the Science Museum. Nicole will be attending Mercyhurst University this fall.

Anna Nealon Garden City Service Unit

Troop 1612

Live Without Limits

Through her Gold Award project, Anna Nealon achieved her mission to improve mental health literacy and promote well-being by having beach access mats placed at the high-tide line at Town of Hempstead (TOH) beaches for beachgoers to use for relaxation and enjoyment. Working collaboratively with local government officials, publishing a Change.org petition, and presenting at community events, Anna increased community awareness and support for her project. Anna’s project is sustained by the TOH to ensure that shoreline access for all citizens and an evidence-based opportunity for mental well-being continues for generations to come.

Anna graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School where she was a National Honor Society member, a Senior Leader mentoring sixth graders, and a religious education teacher. Most recently, she was staff member at Camp ANCHOR; a year-round program for persons with disabilities, and worked part-time as a swim instructor. Anna’s favorite Girl Scout memory is her troop’s Washington DC trip where she enjoyed visiting several historical places. Anna is now a freshman at the University of South Carolina.

Vanessa Osse Baldwin Service Unit Troop 2315

Uniform Collection

To earn her Gold Award, Vanessa Osse worked with her high school to eliminate the amount of uniforms that go to waste. She developed a collection drive in which students could donate used or gently-used uniforms, which were then repurposed and given to other students in need. She also created a system which made it easy for other students to request specific uniform components that they need. Vanessa’s project is sustained by her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, who are continuing to collect and repurpose uniforms. In her freshman year at Emory University, Vanessa was an analyst at her school’s consulting club, as well as a member of the school’s budget committee. Her fondest Girl Scout memory was going to Camp Blue Bay each year. In achieving her Gold Award, she learned vital leadership and organization skills, as well as project management attributes.