Girl Scouts Honored at Town Hall

A Tuesday night's council meeting, a row of girls wearing turquoise sashes embroidered with colorful badges stood in a line, barely able to contain their excitement.  They were the Junior Girl Scouts Troop 20697 from Oak View School, spercially invited to Oak View School in regignition of an impressive array of community service projects.

Mayor McCarthy read out a proclamation listing the Troop's achievements.  then, led to the dias by their Troop Leader, Linda Smolen, the girls stood beside and members of the town council to recieve their certificates. 

The Proclamation read as follows:

Girl Scouts Junior Troop Honor Recognition Whereas, The Girl Scout Junior Troop 20697 students of Oak View School in Bloomfield, NJ meetings are based in Bethany Church. 

The troop was formed in 2007 as part of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council.  There are currently 11 girls in the troop, 7 members who have been scouts for 5 years, since Kindergarten; and Whereas, throughout its long and distinguised history, Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women to strive for the highest ideals of courage, confidence and character; and Whereas, through Girl Scouts, girls grow strong, gain self-confidence, develop leadership skills and learn the lifelong lesson of contributing  back to their communities; and Whereas, we are gathered here on this occasion, as friends, family, and neighbors of; Annika, Caitlin, Deanna, Delyse, Felicia, Grace, Hannah, Katarina, Katie, Madison and Sasha support each on starting a project to earn their "Bronze Award" the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn by assisting the town's animal shelter; and Whereas, we commend Girls Scout Junior Troop Projects provided a school playground poor conditions presentation to Mayor and Board of Education and because of its success the school received a new blacktop. 

Certified in first aide by the American Red Cross, received their "My Faith" award at the Basilica in Newark (20 hours of work requirement).  Collelcting tabs for Ronald McDonald House and stamps for Stamp Ministries.  Donating an entire Thanksgiving Meal to a needed family and filling 40 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, planting flowers at Bethany Church.  Visiting and donating to local nursing home.  Adopting a soldier and donating to various organizations and local shelter.  The Girl Scout Junior crafted decorative placemates for the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen to use for Thanksgiving dinner and decorative hats for a child cancer center patients undergoing treatmentat The Valerie Fund.  Marched in the Memorial Day Parade and assisted at the town's Bi-centennial celebration held at the high school. 

All these projects are examples of the many contributions that are an intergral part of our community as well as a positive influnce for many years to the community; and Now, Therefore, I, Raymond J.McCarthy, as Mayor of the Township of Bloomfield, along with the Township Council, acknowledge and Do Hereby Recognized and Congratulate: Annika Enke, Caitlin Rermler, Deanna Pandolfo, Delyse Howard, Felicia Cochran, Grace Carlin, Hannah Nagy, Katarina Smolen, Katherine Kallay, Madison Faria and Sasha Dasaro For their outstanding accomplishment and extending to them our deepest appreciation for all of their dedicated work and wishing Girls the best in all of their future endeavors.