Girl Scouts announce Gold Award recipients

Girl Scouts of Western New York Press Release & Photo

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) proudly announced the 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts for Erie and Niagara counties.

Through their innovative, sustainable, and community-driven projects, these changemakers tackled pressing local and global issues while demonstrating extraordinary leadership and resilience.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is a national recognition of leadership, service and impact. Each Gold Award Girl Scout spent more than 80 hours planning and implementing a project that made a measurable and lasting difference in her community.

“These outstanding young adults exemplify the courage, confidence and character that define what it means to be a Girl Scout,” said Cara Biddlecom, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western New York. “Their projects reflect not only their passions, but also their deep commitment to making the world a better place.”

Projects completed by this year’s Gold Award recipients addressed issues ranging from mental health awareness and environmental conservation to STEM education, accessibility, and social justice. Each Gold Award Girl Scout led their project from vision to execution, collaborating with local partners, engaging volunteers, and leaving a legacy of impact.

GSWNY celebrated the Gold Award Girl Scouts during a special recognition ceremony Saturday, May 31, at Salvatores, where friends, family, mentors and community leaders honored their achievements.

As the next generation of leaders, advocates and innovators, Gold Award Girl Scouts are well-prepared to excel in college, career, and beyond. In 2025, a total of $52,200 in scholarships was awarded to these outstanding Girl Scouts, including $40,000 from the Girl Scout Educational Scholarship, $4,000 from the Ralph and Mary McLean Wilson Scholarship, $2,000 from the Kim Welsh Memorial Scholarship, $1,200 from the Hans and Charlene Schoenenberger Golden Opportunity Scholarship, and $5,000 from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).

To learn more about the Gold Award and how Girl Scouts of Western New York builds girls of courage, confidence and character, visit www.gswny.org/gold.

Below are this year's Gold Award Recipients from the Erie and Niagara regions. You can read more about their Gold Award projects at www.gswnyblog.com

• Ava Fox (Akron) – “Hometown Heroes” memorial
• P Sokolofsky (Akron) – Education about foster care and support for the kids in it
• Samantha Phillians (Amherst) – Establish a library
• Hailey Fisk (Amherst) – Future innovators: girls in engineering
• Grace Ham (Buffalo) – Camping skills
• Giuliana Bishouty (Clarence) – Healthy eating and fitness
• Megan Engler (Clarence) – Literacy kits
• Valerie Merlino (Clarence) – Community mural
• Lillian Lewinski (Clarence) – Community resource boxes
• Samantha Kramer (Clarence) – Pollinator boxes
• Jillian Lozo (East Amherst) – Creating a sustainable garden and military memorial sculptures
• Greta Golembiewski (East Aurora) – Outdoor classroom
• Amelia Sexton (East Aurora) – “Bringing the Eastern Bluebird Back to Sinking Ponds”
• Skye Dreher (Grand Island) – “You Are Not Alone: Spreading Strength Through Service”
• Hailey Wahl (Hamburg) – Helping out feral cats
• Taylor Filarowski (Lockport) – “LGBTQ+ Rights are Human Rights”
• Adelaide Najuch (Lockport) – Detective Camp at Windy Meadows
• Cyrene Blackley (Lockport) – Camp Critter cottages
• Meganne Walsh (Niagara Falls) – Meg's Reading Room
• Grace D'Antonoli (North Tonawanda) – Mental health mural and brochure
• Anna Kuefus (North Tonawanda) – GSA club
• Catherine Lesh (Orchard Park) – Growing native
• Abigail Provost (Orchard Park) – Seven Hills’ new archery range
• Kit Panna (Tonawanda) – “You Are Gonna Be OK!”
• Olivia Hunger (West Seneca) – Anxiety self-help digital tool

Girl Scouts of Western New York serves girls and adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls and Rochester.

To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.