Gold Award Girl Scouts

Nicole Tobia

Seaford/Wantagh Service Unit Troop 3442

Knowledge is Power

To earn her Gold Award, Nicole Tobia created and implemented an awareness campaign focusing on the lack of access students in foster homes and homeless shelters have to academic resources for exams such as the ACT and SAT. She ran review-book collections in her school and public library, working alongside her school’s student government to promote the effort. She recorded a podcast, with episodes focused on first-generation students, giving advice on how to fill out a college application, sign up for the SAT, visit colleges virtually, and access the financial aid office. Nicole’s Gold Award project will continue to educate individuals on college preparation and the application process.

A graduate of Wantagh High School, Nicole was president of her class, vice president of student government, a member of the National Honor Society, and the Miss Wantagh 1st Runner-Up. She was involved in the school’s theater productions and was the president of the International Thespian Society. Her fondest Girl Scout memories were trips to the Ronald McDonald House to deliver baked desserts. Nicole will be attending Suffolk University this fall.

Samantha Vitale WARM Service Unit

Troop 1591

The Battle of Burnout

Samantha Vitale addressed the issue of burnout among teens and young adults. She was able to spread awareness of burnout by discussing symptoms and prevention methods with students at St. Aidan School and Kellenberg Memorial, and with Girl Scout troops. Samantha led the participants in exercises such as journaling, yoga, and deep breathing. Her project is sustained through her social media page, which advocates for healthy habits.

Samantha recently graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School where she participated in Model United Nations and was a member of the volleyball team. She also taught religion to sixth-grade students after school. Her favorite Girl Scout memory is when her troop slept over at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. As a result of her Gold Award project, Samantha became more confident in her public speaking abilities and enjoyed reconnecting with former teachers. In the fall, she will be attending Loyola University with a double major in communications and english.

Sarah Vincent

Garden City Service Unit

Troop 1612

Wear Clean

Sarah Vincent addressed fast fashion, the destructive phenomenon of mass-producing clothing to feed the demands of consumerism and the fashion trends that follow it. She educated her community about fast fashion by hosting a clothing swap with her high school’s environmental club. Sarah persuaded the club to pledge to host quarterly swaps. While preparing the first swap event, she helped the environmental club president create an Instagram page, @wtclarkeenvironmentalclub, where Instagram users can find educational materials on how to host their own swaps.

A recent graduate of W.T. Clarke High School, Sarah was the co-founder of The Stories Heard, a youth-led initiative that aims to have empowering conversations about today’s experiences. She was also the National Club Coordinator of Operation Period, an organization that aims to achieve international menstrual freedom, and a varsity swimmer of the swim and dive team. Her fondest Girl Scout memory is when her troop traveled to Hershey Park and went on every roller coaster! This fall, Sarah will be attending the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the CUNY School of Medicine.

Kate Webster Bay Service Unit

Troop 65

Benefits of Gardening

Kate Webster educated children and her community on the benefits of home gardening and composting. She presented information to two summer camps and engaged the campers by having them plant their own tomato or basil plant and decorating kitchen counter compost bins. She had a booth at the Oyster Bay Market and distributed her brochure about her Gold Award project. Kate also created an Instagram page and website to provide information on gardening and how to create a compost pile. Kate’s project is sustained by her website, a composting program at the Boys & Girls Club, and an activities binder donated to the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center and her elementary school.

A graduate of Oyster Bay High School, Kate was a member of the National Honor, Business Honor, and World Language societies. She participated in tennis, badminton, and lacrosse. Her fondest Girl Scout memory was traveling to Hershey Park. While earning her Gold Award, Kate gained more confidence in making presentations and time management. This fall, she will be attending Bentley University.