Manalapan Girl Scouts Awarded Highest Honor For Community Service

MANALAPAN, 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.

One local initiative to receive recognition was dubbed “Fashion Fun," started by scouts Leah Bloom, Alexis Cedar, Kaitlyn Dipasquale and Jade Ivry. The project serves as a series of tutorials for the novice or professional to create a quick, fashionable look that will make anyone feel good about themselves. After receiving feedback from their peers, the four girls created hair, nails and makeup tutorials to help anyone with their appearance and boost their confidence.

Similarly, scouts Marilena Acosta, Adriana DiLorenzo and Sophia Newman (who hail from Marlboro and Manalapan) aimed to provide emotional support to local peers. The trio’s final product, called “What to Do When You're SAD,” featured tutorials on social media and YouTube that give people specific ways they can cope and deal with negative emotions. The tutorials are aimed at students but are free and available for anyone to use.

Manalapan residents Grace Andruzzi and Alexis Gafah were also presented with the Silver Award for their “Pass and Play” initiative, a program that allows individuals to pass their equipment to other children in need. The girls created a system where spare sports, dance and music equipment can be passed along to another family, providing young residents the opportunity to try new activities without the extra financial burden.

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.”