NAWILIWILI — Six young ladies, all Girl Scouts from Troop 823, contributed nearly 800 hours of volunteer time during a 12-month period. The scouts were recognized for their efforts Sunday during an awards luncheon at JJ’s Broiler in the Anchor
NAWILIWILI — Six young ladies, all Girl Scouts from Troop 823, contributed nearly 800 hours of volunteer time during a 12-month period.
The scouts were recognized for their efforts Sunday during an awards luncheon at JJ’s Broiler in the Anchor Cove Shopping Center where they each received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award which included a certificate, medallion, and a congratulatory letter from the president of the United States.
“Presidential recognition sets you apart from your peers,” said Teresa Caires, the troop’s leader. “It is a tremendous honor. Even though you may not seek recognition, your example can deliver a powerful message that encourages others to take action.”
To qualify for the PVSA award, Aleah Yano contributed 90.75 hours, Alexis Cacabellos put forth 82.25 hours, Jayda Wakilina finished with 165.5 hours, Kaytlen Akau topped the group with 285.25 hours, Kyla Koerte put in 68.25 hours, and Britnee Akau, although a student at the Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, finished with 101 hours. Tamara Akau, a student at college in Washington, contributed 100 hours at an elementary school in Washington to earn recognition as a Young Adult volunteer in the PVSA.
In addition to the PVSA, several of the girls were awarded the Cadette Community Service Bar from the Girl Scouts.
“This award recognizes a Cadette who has made a difference in their community and practices the values of the Girl Scout Law,” Caires said. “It is a great way to get involved with a particular cause they care about.”
To qualify for the bar, a Scout needs to select an organization to volunteer with, be given instructions by the organization on what needs to be done, and complete at least 20 hours of service.
Yano earned the CCSB for putting in 39 hours of service to the Aloha Dance Studio. Wakilina came up with 243 hours to the County of Kauai Summer Enrichment Program for 2015. Kaytlen Akau earned her CCSB for service to the 2014 and 2015 County of Kauai Summer Enrichment Program along with sister Britnee Akau who served with the 2014 County of Kauai Summer Enrichment Program. Koerte finished with 107.25 hours of service with the 2015 Lihue Hongwanji Preschool Summer Program.
Scouts were also presented The Silver Torch award which recognizes Cadettes who act as leaders in their communities. Scouts who received the honor worked on the aMaze theme from the Girl Scout series, “It’s Your World — Change It.”
Yano and Kaytlen Akau earned the honor for serving as assistant dance teachers at the Aloha Dance Studio, while Cacabellos wore the crown of Hawaiian Royalty for a year. Koerte served as president of Girl Scout Hawaii Troop 823, and Britnee Akau served as the 2014 Petite Miss Hawaiian Royalty.
Caires said in addition to the acts of volunteerism by each of the troop’s scouts, the girls also dipped into their Troop Funds, generated from the sale of Girl Scout Cookies, to present more than $300 to the county’s Agency of Elderly Affairs’ senior Christmas adoption program, the Toys for Tots program, and to Child and Family Services for its Christmas programs.
