Orange County Girl Scouts bridge local relationships
Girl Scout Troop 3408 earned the Girl Scout Silver Award (the highest award a Girl Scout cadette in grade 6-8 can earn) for their efforts to strengthen relationships between the local police community and their mosque.
Girl Scout cadettes Dana Mussa, Jumana Mussa and Nahar Saeed from Troop 3408 out of the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim saw a need to improve relationships between local law enforcement and the Muslim community. They believed that through communication and education trust could be formed, organizers said.
For their Girl Scout Silver Award Take Action project Bridging Between the Police and Minority Community, the trio planned two events in 2019 and invited community youth and police representatives to share in a variety of activities to improve relationships, safety and inclusion. The events took place over two days and included a shared meal, an open dialogue between the Girl Scout hosts and the police, and games. As a result of their efforts, the troop has been invited to attend various events and tours at Anaheim Police Department and Cypress Police Department and has built a strong relationship with local police and the members of their mosque.
In addition to earning their Girl Scout Silver Award, the Girl Scouts were recently awarded the Girl Scout Take Action Award, which recognizes a Girl Scout cadette, senior or ambassador troop/group or individual who has made a significant and lasting impact in her community.
Submitted by Elizabeth Fairchild, Girl Scouts of Orange County
Yorba Linda couple gets 50th anniversary surprise
Long-time Yorba Linda residents Janice and Dick Ricker recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. In light of the pandemic, with the added problem of Dick having knee replacement surgery just days before, they were resigned to a non-celebration of this milestone.
That’s until Jan’s good friend Carla Murphy surprised them by “TP-ing” the two trees in front of their home. In recognition of the nationwide shortage of toilet paper, Carla TP’d with six full rolls of toilet paper, so it could still be used after the anniversary. Carla also decorated with a bell and banner, and friends dropped off flowers and treats all day.
Submitted by Maureen Williams
Laguna Beach community unites to support youth shelter
Waymakers, a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality counseling and support services to struggling Orange County children and families at their greatest time of need, has seen its largest basic needs donations from the local community since March 2020, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Nearly 40 individuals and organizations have donated items specifically to Laguna Beach Youth Shelter. Among the local organizations that have provided basic need items to the youth shelter during the pandemic are Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach Police Association, Assistance League, Women’s Club of Laguna Beach, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Laguna Beach, Mimi’s Tailor & Design, Main Street Laguna Bar, World Newsstand and Laguna Beach Fire Fighters.
Donations included items such as masks, meals, produce and snacks, games, books, clothing, household items and cleaning supplies.
Submitted by Ranggin Hedayat
Community celebrates Huntington Beach Gold Award Girl Scout
Amanda Nigro from Troop 958 in Huntington Beach was recently treated to a socially distanced surprise when dozens of cars paraded down her street cheering, honking horns and waving homemade notes of congratulations to celebrate her many accomplishments as a Girl Scout.
The parade followed the conclusion of a private awards ceremony for Amanda where she received her Girl Scout Gold Award pin and stole, her Girl Scout Take Action and Outstanding Senior Award, Ten Year Award and Girl Scout graduation regalia.
For her Gold Award (the highest award a Girl Scout in high school can earn), Amanda worked with local wetland experts to direct, film and edit four short documentaries about the wetlands and their vital importance to the environment. She also teamed up with local teachers to create accompanying lesson plans. Her project has been shared with multipleschool districts and teachers to inspire students to take action, help preserve the wetlands and make educated environmental decisions.
Thanks to the project, Girl Scouts of Orange County selected Amanda as a National Gold Award Girl Scout nominee to be considered for national recognition and academic scholarships. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) selects 10 Gold Award Girl Scouts from across the country recognized as National Gold Award Girl Scouts each year and will announce 2020 honorees this fall.
Not only has Amanda earned all three of Girl Scouts Highest Awards – Bronze, Silver, and Gold, she has also demonstrated entrepreneurship by selling more than 10,000 boxes of cookies in her Girl Scout career and served as a mentor for other girls, helping to plan many local Girl Scout activities and events, such as Cookies to Camp Pendleton and Ski Day. A recent graduate of Edison High, she was a member of ASB and the Cinematic Arts program, where she produced and directed TV episodes and films.
She plans to attend Cal State Long Beach in the fall to study Film and Electronic Arts, Narrative Production.
Submitted by Elizabeth Fairchild, Communications Director, Girl Scouts of Orange County
Laguna Niguel sailor participates in firefighting drill aboard U.S. Navy warship
Fireman Robieniel Bello, right, from Laguna Niguel, simulates overhauling smoldering debris during a fire drill aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serves as a ready response force to defend security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Anaheim sailor directs aircraft aboard USS Ronald Reagan
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Nathalie Apostol, from Anaheim, directs an aircraft while an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the IndoPacific region.
Fountain Valley sailor serves at Submarine Group in Japan
Electronics Technician 2nd Class Thomas Truong, from Fountain Valley, poses for a photo at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Truong serves at Commander, Submarine Group Seven based in Yokosuka, Japan.
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com
Source: Orange County Register
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