Gold Award Girl Scouts

Lauren Rodriguez East Meadow Service Unit Troop 1256

Girl Code: Encouraging Girls to Code One Click at a Time!

Lauren Rodriguez worked with girls in kindergarten through fifth grade to teach them how to code to address the issue of the lack of women in the tech field. She held virtual and in-person coding workshops where the girls were taught basic coding terminology and the history of women in programming. The girls were then able to complete their own coding project. Lauren’s project is sustained by the STEM club at her high school, where they use Lauren’s guides to hold coding workshops. Her resources can be accessed through her website and her Instagram page to find coding resources and a lesson guide about teaching your own coding workshops.

Lauren is the marketing officer for Girls in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science club and a member of Pure Dance, a contemporary and jazz performance group. Her fondest Girl Scout memory is going to see the Nutcracker with her troop. Through her Gold Award project, Lauren learned to be comfortable with public speaking and was inspired to take on more leadership roles. She completed her freshman year of college at the University of Michigan.

Shea Salamack Massapequa Service Unit

Troop

2069

Bees 2 Seas

Shea Salamack was successful in educating her community on the importance of protecting the pollinators and waterways of Long Island. She introduced native plants to gardens at the Massapequa Public Library and held interactive, informative sessions to educate homeowners and families about how they can help increase biodiversity. Additionally, to sustain her project, she designed an educational website describing the dangers of using harmful chemicals and planting exotic species in order to maintain an idealized suburban lawn. Shea promoted her project through the creation of QR code signs, flyers, and coloring pages which she distributed through libraries, the Town of Oyster Bay Marine Life Educational Expo, and multiple organizations.

Shea graduated from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in 2022, where she was an officer of both the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. At graduation, Shea was a recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and the Theology Award. Shea completed her freshman year of college at University of San Diego.

Bella Rontiris Manhasset Service Unit

Troop 541

Social Media Wellness

Bella Rontiris addressed the negative influence of social media on teenagers. She partnered with the Manhasset Secondary School Counseling Department and the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse to create a project that would prevent middle school students from becoming hyper-obsessed with social media. Bella taught seventh-grade students how to combat screen addiction, self-comparison, and cyberbullying that arise from constant phone use. She distributed a pamphlet of mental health resources to students that will remain available in the wellness center. She tracked changes in participants’ social media habits and measured the difference in social media-related counselor referrals. A social media wellness lesson will be implemented next year.

A recent graduate of Manhasset High School, Bella was on the executive board for the Broadcasting, Economics, and Finance clubs. She was also captain of the varsity cheerleading team. Her fondest Girl Scout memory is selling Girl Scout Cookies. She is grateful for the leadership and communication skills that she gained from completing her Girl Scout Gold Award. Bella will be attending Duke Univeristy in the fall.

Shalini Samuel WARM Service Unit Troop 1047

The Golden State of Mind

Shalini Samuel worked with Herricks High School to spread awareness about mental health to students and provide strategies to de-stress. Her goal was to help her peers find ways to manage their stress through mindfulness and breathing techniques. Shalini accomplished this by implementing a peer-partner program to educate students and train mentors. Shalini organized many events like paint days and Zoom calls to educate the public and created fun activities for students. She advocated for students to have a mental health day during the school year and promoted having de-stressing activities during finals week. Shalini’s project is sustained through the curriculum she created for the program and through the students she trained through the social worker, Mrs. Kilkelly.

Shalini completed her freshman year of college at Hofstra University and became involved by joining the Hofstra Indian Dance team, InterVarsity Fellowship, and South Asian Student Association. Shalini’s fondest Girl Scout memory is the annual trip to Camp Blue Bay. Through Shalini’s Gold Award project, she improved her time management skills and created a network to help put her ideas into action.