Young Women of Distinction ceremony held by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
WAITSFIELD, VT – Nineteen young women were recognized for their achievements in Girl Scouting at the Young Women of Distinction ceremony hosted by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains on Sunday, Aug. 15 at Lareau Farm Pavilion.
Every Girl Scout goes above and beyond to make a difference in her community and the greater world. The skills and experiences she gains along the way set her up for special recognition through the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards. Six of those honored were Gold Award Girl Scouts, earning the highest honor for girls in grades 9-12 over the past two years. Also noted were six Silver Award Girl Scouts, for those in grades 6-8, and six Bronze Award Girl Scouts, for those in grades 4 and 5. These young women spend at least 20 hours on the Bronze Award, at least 50 hours for Silver, and at least 80 hours for the Gold.
Along with these recognitions, Emma Hansen, 18, of Salem, NH, was presented with the Torch Award, which recognizes a Girl Scout who is a leader in her community. Hansen is a Gold Award Girl Scout who was president of her high school’s Civics Club, advocated for passage of a nearly $50 million school renovation, and wrote a children’s book on how to be involved in government.
Liliane Gordon, 15, of Hinesburg, VT, was recognized as one of the top 10 Girl Scout Cookie sellers. Gordon sold more than 2,000 packages of cookies while learning critical life skills like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world.
Laela Desjadon, 12, of Vergennes, was noted for her service to the council in contributing more than 20 hours to building a new cabin at the council’s summer camp, Camp Farnsworth, in Thetford, VT.
Bronze Award recipients honored at this event included:
- Anna Ebert of Milton, VT, for her project “Bat Girls, Bat Houses”
- Claire Niggel and Lilliana Baldasaro, both of Essex Junction, VT, for their project, “Passion for Paws”
- Alyssa Albrecht of Willison, VT, for her project, “Paws Up!”
- Natalie Faucher of Milford, NH, for her project, “Scoop That Poop!”
- Celia Osborne of Sunapee, NH, for her project, “Sunapee Fitness Trail”
Silver Award recipients included:
- Chloe Raboin of Orange, VT, and Karsten Relation of East Barre, VT, for their project, “Community Cupboard”
- Victoria Feickert of Springfield, VT, for her project, “Cool Rides for CHaD”
- LeAnne LeSage of Chittenden, VT, for her project, “Girl Scout Card Creator”
- Liliane Gordon of Hinesburg, VT, for her project, “Promoting Reading During COVID and Beyond”
- Johanna Stone of West Rutland, VT, for her project, “Dog Agility Course”
Gold Award Recipients included:
- Alexis Kouwenhoven of Bristol, VT, for her project, “Managing Stress and Anxiety”
- Julia Acker of Salem, NH, for her project, “Sweat N’ Snack”
- Bonnie Anderson of Harrisville, NH, for her project, “Warm the Soul Campaign”
- Molly Ewing of Nottingham, NH, for her project, “Educating Community Members on Local Taxpayer-Funded Children’s Nonprofits”
- Erica Faucher of Milford, NH, for her project, “Battling Vitamin D Deficiency in Nursing Home Residents”
- Emma Hansen of Salem, NH, for her project, “Be the Change”
The event is one of two held by the council serving girls in Vermont and New Hampshire. The second will take place in Bedford, New Hampshire, on Nov. 14.
Girl Scouts is a shining opportunity for girls to become their best selves.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
