Gold, Ambassador Recipients, Chatham’s Oldest Girl Scout Honored

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Girl Scouts enjoyed several celebrations in one recently at the Reasoner Park Gazebo, with more than 100 people who came out to support and recognize Gold and Ambassador award recipients, Senior Class Girl Scouts and a 93-year-old woman believed to be Chatham's oldest Girl Scout.

In what has been considered a record number, there were 14 Gold Award recipients and 31 Chatham Ambassador Scouts recognized. Betty Garger and Jessica Hoffman of the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey congratulated these Girl Scouts earlier in June, calling them “the largest group of active Ambassadors and Gold Award recipients in recent memory.”

Achieving the Gold Award is the Girl Scouts’ highest honor, which only slightly more than five percent of Girl Scouts reach.

“Indeed, a 2021 National GS Alumni Study concluded that Gold Award Scouts place significantly higher importance on the pursuit of a successful career, assuming leadership roles, and attaining ambitious professional and personal goals,” said Chatham Borough Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz.

“Two notable illustrations of this are U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Ret. US Army Colonel and Purple Heart Recipient, and U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn (Oklahoma),” he added.

“Your Gold Award is not the end of a journey but the beginning of one, said Borough Councilwoman Carolyn Dempsey. “I encourage you to take the skills you have learned and the confidence you’ve gained to go out and make your own mark on this world.”

Former Chatham Township Mayor Tracy Ness also attended, congratulating those who reached their Gold Awards, stating the recipients should move forward to make “Herstory,” with their skills.

Each Gold Award scout was given yellow roses, a gold pin and green and gold graduation cords from their troop leader who mentored them in their project. Each recipient's project for their Gold Award took a minimum of 80 hours to complete.

The Gold Awardees weren’t the only ones gifted with yellow roses, with 93-year-old Blanche Blumenfeld — believed to be the oldest Girl Scout in Chatham and only living Girl Scout from Troop 28 — showered with roses and applause from the crowd.

Girl Scout Gold Awards were given to:

Samantha Murphy Troop 8-2076 (Bringing Books Below Broadway)
Kate Ziegler Troop 8-2076 (Water Safety for All)
Maya Ranji Troop 8-2076 (Sensory Boxes)
Megan Alperowitz Troop 8-2076 (Road Safety on Shunpike Road)
Grace Zinn Troop 8-2076 (Field Hockey Assessment/Coaching Packet and Gear Collection)
Evelyn Tomaro Troop Juliette (Chatham Music Tutoring Program)
Ava Tesoriero Troop 8-2215 (Sensory Art Program)
Grace Toscano Troop 8-2215 (Ogden Junior Preschool “Pocket Park”)
Grace Nugent Troop 8-1981 (Giving Gardens)
Samantha Teisch Troop 8-1981 (Career Glimpses)
Kaitlin Osucha Troop 8-1203 (Educate, Provide, and Continue)
Aerin Zucchi Troop 8-1203 (Summer Reading, Isn’t It a Blast)
Melissa Moran Troop 8-1016 (You Are Not Alone)
Claire Tunny Troop 8-0104 (They Were Here for Us, Let Us Be There For Them)

Senior Class of 2021 Ambassador Scouts recognized were:

Katherine Caviness (T8-0104)
Sarah Delaney (T8-0104)
Gianna Latorre (T8-0104)
Katie Caracciolo (T8-1016)
Kate Donsky (T8-1016)
Bridget Evelth (T8-1016)
Peyton McGarry (T8-1016)
Kerri McNelis (T8-1016)
Jemma Thorne (T8-1016)
Christine Purschke (T8-1203)
Elise Ruggiero (T8-1981)
Ciara Doherty (T8-2076)
Serena Didio (T8-2076)
Claire Silverstein (T8-2076)
Shannon Gilfillan (T 8-2215),
Ava Voight (T8-2215)
Amanda Williams (T8-2215)

There was an Orchid presentation to the following Troop leaders, for their assistance in helping the Gold Award recipients:

Susannah Doherty and Laura Ranji (Troop 8-2076)
Sharon Moran (Troop 8-1016)
Carrie Nugent and Lorraine Teisch (Troop 8-1981)
Stacey Osucha and Ceal Purschke (Troop 8-1203)
Barb Delaney and Beth Tunny (Troop 8-0104)
Alison Tesoreiro and Jane Voight (Troop 8-2215)

Questions or comments about this story? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.