THREE SALEM GIRL SCOUTS TO RECEIVE GOLD AWARD

First time in Salem history

Salem, CT – May 8, 2012. Three Salem Girl Scouts will receive the highest award in Girl Scouting, the prestigious Gold Award, on Sunday, June 3 at Gardner Lake Firehouse in Salem at a 5:30pm Court of Awards ceremony.

Erin Holle, Teresa Horan, and Victoria Nortz, all of Salem Troop 63082, will be joined by Sarah Kukich of East Lyme Troop 63040 who will also be receiving the Gold Award.

This marks the first time that Scouts from Salem have earned the Gold Award. The three Salem Scouts joined Troop 63082 as Daisies when the troop was formed by leaders Becky Nortz and Michelle Horan in 1998.

Holle's project involved creating a charity, Erin's Eggs, that sources extra eggs from over 21 local backyard chicken owners as well as her own flock, and provides them to soup kitchens and food pantries in the area. She has supplied over 800 dozen eggs to local programs in the last year. She is a freshman at Louisiana State University, studying athletic training.

For her Gold Award project, Horan created science experiments for elementary and middle school students that can be loaned out through the Salem Library for use in the home. She also conducted two science days at the library for children that featured hands-on demonstrations. Horan is currently studying biology at St. Mary's College of Maryland and intends to attend medical school.

Nortz's project was recording oral histories of long time Salem residents. The collection is housed at the Salem Free Public Library and represents the first time that research and cataloging of this historical nature has been undertaken in Salem. Nortz is attending Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she is pursuing a double major in public policy and history, and minoring in child advocacy and vocal performance.

Kukich's project involved organizing and directing an all day regatta event, at Roger's Lake in Old Lyme, to promote community friendship, water safety, and to improve the environmental conditions of Rogers Lake. The goal was to develop a firm partnership of rowers, environmentalists, and lake community members. Kukich is a senior at East Lyme High School and will be attending the Coast Guard Academy after graduation.

The keynote speaker and guest of honor for the Court of Awards ceremony is Theresa Younger, president of the board of directors of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Younger is the executive director of the Connecticut general assembly's Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, the state's leading force for women's equality. 

All former Salem Troop 63082 and East Lyme Troop 63040 Girl Scouts and parents are invited to attend the Gold Award ceremony and reception at Gardner Lake Firehouse on Route 354 in Salem. Current Brownie and Girl Scout troops from Salem and East Lyme are encouraged to attend in uniform; special troop seating will be provided. Please RSVP Cindy Holle at dholle1958@yahoo.com or call (860) 859-3173.