GSCWM CEO
Submitted by Ann Marie R. Harvie, Troop Leader, 30304, Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury’s Haley Adams, Rachel Harvie, Jessica Minton and Aanya Sachdeva received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards during a ceremony held at the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) Worcester Service Center Dec. 14. In all, 10 girls received awards totaling over 1,700 hours of service to their communities. Marcia Pereira, consultant for the Shrewsbury Girl Scouts Older Girls, joined the girls and their families at the event.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes the role of volunteers and honors individuals whose service positively affects communities and inspires those around them to follow their example and take action. There are three levels of the award – Gold, Silver and Bronze. The amount of volunteer hours to qualify for the awards is age dependent in each category. Girl Scouts of any age are eligible to apply for the award.
GSCWM Program Specialist Kathleen Wilson hosted the event.
“We’re here to celebrate the great accomplishment of girls who put in a great deal of time and effort taking action in their communities to make the world a better place,” she said. “These girls have proven that they are committed to working toward their goals and improving the world around them.”
Pattie Hallberg, CEO of GSCWM, served as keynote speaker and presented each girl with a personalized certificate, a pin and her own “Stand Tall” patch that was designed for her.
“In Girl Scouts, our mission is to build girls with courage, confidence and character, and they are in the order for a reason,” she said. “You have to have the courage to build the confidence in order to build the character. You have all shown what character is all about.”
Jessica, Troop 11087, volunteered during many Girl Scout Service Unit events such as the Shrewsbury Encampment and Bridging ceremony as well as community activities such as the Shrewsbury Farmers Market and the Shrewsbury Public Library to earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Silver Award. This was Jessica’s second Presidential Service Award.
Hayley, a Girl Scout Juliette in Shrewsbury, earned a gold level award by dedicating time volunteering in the Child Life Department of UMass Memorial in Worcester, Camp Sunshine and Get Real Teen of Central Massachusetts.
Rachel, Troop 30304, received the gold level award by dedicating last summer to working with children at Camp Woodhaven in Boylston, under their Leader in Training Program.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been going to Camp Woodhaven,” she said. “It has been a wonderful experience being able to work with the campers and the camp counselors there.”
Aanya, Troop 30304, earned her gold level award by volunteering as a student teacher in the Shrewsbury Public Schools and has also given her time to the Shrewsbury Public Library, the Shrewsbury Senior Center, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and India Day.
“Congratulations to all of you,” said Wilson. “You represent just what it means to be a Girl Scout. You are in inspiration to all the girls in your troops, in your service units and all across the state.”
“I’m honored to be here with you and I’m honored to serve as your CEO,” said Hallberg. “I love it because I get to meet girls like you who really care about themselves, about their family and about their community. Congratulations!”
