Sussex County Girl Scout volunteers honored

RANDOLPH - Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey recently held its adult recognition program at The Sheraton Mahwah Hotel in Mahwah, honoring more than 700 volunteers who donate their time and leadership to deliver the Girl Scout program to more than 34,000 girls in northern New Jersey. Receiving the Chair’s Award were three individuals and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in carrying out the vision of GSNNJ. The Chair’s Award was given to Charles Ort of Hackettstown; Margaret Nicolais of New York, N.Y.; and the Paterson Children’s Foundation. Nine communities were named Juliette’s Pearls, the council’s newest award for completing a challenging set of criteria, including meeting membership goals, increasing product sales, holding town-wide Girl Scout events, and training all their leaders. Among the nine honored areas were Green and Hopatcong. The Appreciation Pin, given to those volunteers and leaders performing beyond the expectations of the position, was awarded to Claire Finlay of Hopatcong, Nancy Hawk of Sparta, and Gigi Regolizio of Andover. The Rookie of the Year award is given to exceptional Girl Scout leaders who have exemplified Girl Scout values in their first or second year of volunteering. Receiving this honor was Dawn DeMattheis of Vernon. The Outstanding Volunteer award was given to Ed Buruchian of Vernon, and Onni Chan and Dawn Green of Sparta. Among those receiving the Outstanding Leader award were Ana Di Santi, Doreen Eisenecker, Stephanie Holycross, Kathleen Lagasca, Gina Muth, Patricia Sullivan, and Diane Terhune of Sparta, and Wendy Yahn of Vernon. Honored with the Outstanding Service Team Member award for serving as leaders in their communities were Susan Brusberg, Dawn Green, Terri Jeker, and Roberta Reid of Sparta. Betty Reid of Hopatcong was awarded her membership pin for 30 years in Girl Scouts. Susan Brusberg of Sparta and Eileen Marie Ferry of Vernon were recognized for 25 years of membership. Receiving the award for 20 years of membership were Melissa Arcaro of Andover, Barbara Lynch of Hopatcong, and Rashmi Drummond, Jennifer Hart, and Roberta Reid of Sparta. The following were recognized for 15 years of service to Girl Scouting: Ruthann Quam of Byram, Koran Mae Bistro and Fay Kukan of Hopatcong, MaryLou Henninghan, Terri Jeker, and Colleen Martella of Sparta, and Peggy Keith, Terry Latham, Dawn Maffetone, JoAnn Nieves, Susan Quinn, and Wendy Yahn of Vernon. Honored for 10 years of service were Amy Rogers of Hopatcong, Tracy O’Connor of Ogdensburg, Eileen Aquino, Gina Cox, Sherrie Giannantonio, Beth Riis, Hilary Shprecher, and Debbie Walsh of Vernon. Among those recognized for five years of Girl Scout membership were Meg Brinster, Benay Johnson, and Cheryl Lacalamita of Hamburg, Christine Giuliano, Kimberly Maher, and Tracy Piacentino of Hopatcong, Eileen Gigante, BobbiJo McLachlan, Geraldine Rogers, Debra Storbeck, Dina Walker, and Barbara Williams of Vernon.