Hazlet Girl Scout Awarded For Women In STEM Advocacy Initiative

HAZLET, NJ - 31 Monmouth and Ocean County Girl Scouts were recently named recipients of the Girl Scout Silver Award, which serves as the highest award presented by the organization for scouts in sixth through eighth grade.

Tackling complex issues such as cyberbullying, cancer care support and environmental sustainability, the winners were honored at a drive-thru ceremony last month at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Program Activity Center in Farmingdale.

Blake Cregg-Wedmore of Hazlet was awarded for her efforts in increasing girls' engagement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

To support her project, Cregg-Wedmore gathered data about students' interest in STEM through a survey she conducted at her middle school, using the data to develop a virtual STEM camp for girls in grades 4 through 6.

Last summer, she ran four sessions of the virtual camp with registrants from 25 U.S. states and territories. Cregg-Wedmore also created marketing materials for STEM-related clubs at her middle school to help recruit and retain members.

To win the prestigious award, Girl Scouts must fulfill several requirements including taking on a community project that makes a lasting impact. Throughout the process, scouts aim to develop organization and leadership skills that benefit their community.

“Especially this year, we are truly proud of the impact that our Silver Award Girl Scouts have made in their communities,” said Eileen M. Higgins, CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. “Collectively, they devoted over 1,500 hours toward making their communities a better place to live.”