Manchester Girl Scout Earns Gold Award

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township Girl Scout has earned the Gold Award for her efforts to beautify the entrance to the Manchester Township High School athletic fields and emphasize pride in the school's mascot, the Hawks.

Rory Dunckley, a 2020 graduate of Manchester Township High School who lives in the Whiting section, was one of 24 Girl Scouts from Monmouth and Ocean counties in the Jersey Shore council who received their awards during one-on-one ceremonies on Aug. 7 at the Girl Scouts' Program Activity Center, Farmingdale.

The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts.

"Gold Award Girl Scouts do not just change the world for the better, they change it for good," said Eileen M. Higgins, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. "The Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable. Each girl created an innovative, sustainable solution that will make a lasting improvement and make the world a better place."

Dunckley's Hawks Pride project included the beautification project, and also included legally changing the school's address to Hawks Way.

With the support of donors for the project that was estimated at $9,000, Dunckley saw to it that a new 40-foot walkway was laid leading up to the high school's athletic fields and created a Hawk mascot statue garden.

Four existing student tables and other fixtures were refinished in school colors, and two vendor tables were constructed to be used by various school clubs. Photos of the project are posted on the school district's website.

"The Manchester Township High School athletic field entrance is now an area that all students, parents, and athletes can be proud of," the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore said in describing her project.

The project will be maintained with help of the school's Building and Grounds and Athletic departments and the school's Booster Club.

The Girl Scouts Gold Award recognition looked different than past years. Due to restrictions on gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, a group awards ceremony was not possible. Rather than canceling the recognition or shifting to a virtual one, Girl Scouts hosted a private award ceremony for each girl with her family and friends.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore serves more than 10,000 girls ages 5-18 in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing a time-tested leadership experience that inspires and motivates them to take action for themselves and their communities. For information on how to join, volunteer, partner or donate, visit GSFun.org or call (800) 785-2090.

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