Brookfield CT VFW Post Names Brookfield Scout of the Year

At a ceremony held this past Saturday May 4th, which was hosted by the Jason D. Lewis Brookfield Memorial VFW Post, three Ambassador Scouts from Girl Scout Troop 50897 were honored as part of the VFWs Scout of the Year Scholarship Program.

Grace Collins was selected as the Post’s recipient as Scout of the Year award, receiving a scholarship of $150.00 She will also be competing at the State and if successful at the VFW National Level where she could earn a further scholarship up to $5,000.00 as the National Scout of the Year winner.

Two other recipients Reese Reiling and Allison Quinn were also recognized with Certificates of Appreciation for their outstanding volunteerism and service to their peers and community. Each was awarded a scholarship of $100.00 from the Post.

All three Ambassador Scouts had earned from the Girl Scouts of America the prestigious Gold Award which is the highest level of achievement accorded a girl scout that only six percent of scout participants ever attain.

In recognizing of the Participants in the contest, each of their major accomplishments were shared.

Grace Collins was applauded for her work initiating Mental Health wellness and awareness programs at Brookfield High School as well as Whisconier Middle School and Huckleberry Elementary School. At the High School and Middle School she arranged for Mental Health Professionals and Inspirational speakers who overcame additions and depression to speak to over 1,000 students. Many who listened subsequently shared their own concerns with school counselors. One mother said it saved her son’s life who was contemplating suicide.

Allison Quinn embarked on a program to encourage recruiting for the High School Marching Band. She singlehandedly organized a promotion and advertising program aimed at the Whisconier Middle School students to encourage participation in the band, color guard or pit crew once they arrived at High School. Seminars were held and simulated training and marching programs were conducted. 98% of the High School Marching Band volunteered to assist in the effort. The recruiting result were highly successful and teachers within the music department credited Allison for contributing to the overall success the of School’s musical program.

Reese Reiling, an inductee of the National Honor Society, implemented with the support of medical professionals, town wide training program and classes to educate community members resulting in 30 people receiving certifications in first aid procedures and administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defribulation (AED). Reese also organized multiple blood bank drives at Brookfield High School which aided recipients throughout the State. She collected first aid supplies from donations and assembled over 80 first aid kits with instruction on use of items which were distributed to families in need at the local food pantry. Her efforts impacted on over 200 individuals in an effort to help save lives.

In recognizing the honorees, Gene Roberts the Program Moderator said “each one has risen above their peers in exemplifying the highest qualities of scouting and represent the best of their generation.”